October 2026 Current Affairs
The important news of October 2026 for competitive exams, sorted by topic. So far this month: 117 stories from 7 daily digests, with Economy, National and Sports news making up most of it. Each story below has a short summary, what to note for exams, and a link to its full entry with practice MCQs and sources.
Top stories of October 2026
The month's biggest exam-relevant stories so far.
RBI Raises GDP Growth Forecast to 7.1% and Inflation to 5.2% for FY27
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has revised its GDP growth forecast for the fiscal year 2026-27 to 7.1 percent. Alongside this, the RBI has also increased its Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation forecast to 5.2 percent for the same period.
What to note RBI's updated GDP and inflation forecasts for FY27 highlight key economic trends and policy outlook relevant for economic and banking exams.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · RBI · GDP growth · CPI inflation · FY27
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI hikes repo rate by 25 bps to 5.5%, shifts stance to calibrated tightening
On October 7, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) increased the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5%, marking the first hike in nearly three-and-a-half years. Along with the rate hike, the RBI changed its monetary policy stance from 'neutral' to 'calibrated tightening'.
What to note RBI's repo rate hike and change in monetary policy stance are key indicators of India's economic policy direction.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · RBI · repo rate · monetary policy committee · calibrated tightening
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Anup Bagchi appointed MD & CEO of HDFC Bank, first outsider in 32 years
Anup Bagchi, a veteran from the ICICI Group, has been appointed as the Managing Director and CEO of HDFC Bank. This marks the first time in the bank's 32-year history that an outsider will lead the institution.
What to note The leadership change at HDFC Bank and the significance of appointing an outsider as MD & CEO.
Key terms Anup Bagchi · HDFC Bank · RBI · Kaizad M. Bharucha · ICICI Group
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Southwest Monsoon Ends with 12-13% Rainfall Deficit, Driest in a Decade
The 2026 southwest monsoon season in India ended with a rainfall deficit of around 12-13%, marking the driest monsoon in a decade. The east and northeast regions experienced their driest monsoon since 1901, while the southern peninsula recorded its fourth lowest rainfall since 1901.
What to note The 2026 monsoon rainfall deficit, regional impacts, and IMD forecasts for post-monsoon rainfall.
Key terms Southwest Monsoon · India Meteorological Department · rainfall deficit · southern peninsula · east and northeast India
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Union Cabinet Congratulates PM Modi on 25 Years of Leadership
The Union Cabinet passed a resolution congratulating Prime Minister Narendra Modi on completing 25 years of continuous leadership. The resolution highlighted his mandate, trust, and governance.
What to note The Union Cabinet's recognition of PM Modi's 25 years of leadership and related social and economic initiatives.
Key terms Union Cabinet · Narendra Modi · 25 years · poverty alleviation · women empowerment
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Cabinet Approves Integrated Transport Authority and ₹10,000-Crore SME Fund
The Indian Cabinet has approved the establishment of the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA), which will prepare a long-term transport plan covering roads, railways, ports, civil aviation, and urban mobility.
What to note The government's new transport authority and the SME Growth Fund to support small and medium enterprises.
Key terms Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority · ITLA · SME Growth Fund · SGF · Cabinet
Full entry with MCQs and sources →National
The most important of 29 National stories this month.
Four New Airports to Be Developed in West Bengal Under UDAN Scheme
The Government of India plans to develop four new airports in West Bengal within the next two years as part of the UDAN scheme to expand air connectivity. The airports will be located at Charra in Purulia, Kalaikunda in Paschim Medinipur, Balurghat in Dakshin Dinajpur, and Hasimara in Alipurduar.
What to note New airport developments under the UDAN scheme in West Bengal and the locations involved.
Key terms West Bengal · UDAN · K Rammohan Naidu · Charra · Kalaikunda
Full entry with MCQs and sources →CBI Chargesheets RCom and Ex-LIC Officer in ₹3,750 Crore Fraud Case
The Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) has filed a charge sheet against Reliance Communications (RCom) and others, including a former LIC chief investment officer, in connection with a ₹3,750 crore fraud case.
What to note Details of major financial fraud cases involving public sector entities and corporate firms are important for understanding legal and economic governance.
Key terms CBI · Reliance Communications · LIC · non-convertible debentures · criminal conspiracy
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India Standardises Names of 28 Places and Features in Ladakh on Official Maps
India has formally named and standardised 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh on official Survey of India maps. The list includes 11 peaks, five mountains, six land areas, two glaciers, two passes, one valley, one river, one lake, and one other water body.
What to note India's recent efforts to assert territorial nomenclature in Ladakh amid geopolitical tensions with China.
Key terms Ladakh · Survey of India · Arunachal Pradesh · China · official maps
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Supreme Court Rules Police Confession Alone Cannot Justify NSA Detention
The Supreme Court ruled that a confession made before a police officer cannot alone justify preventive detention under the National Security Act (NSA).
What to note Supreme Court's stance on the evidentiary value of police confessions in preventive detention cases under the NSA.
Key terms Supreme Court · National Security Act · preventive detention · police confession · Sambhal
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Economy
The most important of 31 Economy stories this month.
India's Services Sector Growth Hits Three-Month High in September 2026
India's services sector growth reached a three-month high in September 2026, with the HSBC India Services PMI rising to 55.2 from 54.1 in August.
What to note Recent trends in India's services sector growth and factors influencing the PMI in 2026.
Key terms HSBC India Services PMI · services sector · domestic demand · digital solutions · exports
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India's Manufacturing PMI Rises to Seven-Month High of 55.1 in September 2026
India's manufacturing sector showed a strong recovery in September 2026, with the HSBC India Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) rising to 55.1, a seven-month high. This marked a 2.3-point increase from August's 52.8 reading.
What to note Recent trends in India's manufacturing sector and PMI figures indicating economic recovery.
Key terms Manufacturing PMI · HSBC · Factory activity · Sales · Production
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India's Fiscal Deficit Reaches 41.9% of FY27 Target by August
India's fiscal deficit widened to ₹7.1 lakh crore by August 2026, reaching 41.9% of the full-year FY27 target of ₹16.96 lakh crore. Total expenditure stood at 38.9% of the budget estimates, up from 37.1% in the same period of the previous year.
What to note The fiscal deficit status and government expenditure trends for FY27 as of August 2026.
Key terms Fiscal Deficit · FY27 · Net Tax Revenue · Expenditure · Centre
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Government Reduces Windfall Tax on Diesel and ATF Exports Amid West Asia Tensions
The Government of India has reduced the windfall tax on diesel exports from ₹20 per litre to ₹16 per litre and on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF) exports from ₹15 per litre to ₹10.5 per litre.
What to note Recent changes in India's fuel taxation policy and their geopolitical context.
Key terms Government of India · windfall tax · diesel · Aviation Turbine Fuel · petrol
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Banking & Finance
The most important of 10 Banking & Finance stories this month.
RBI Appoints Shri Sudhakar Malli as Executive Director from October 2026
The Reserve Bank of India appointed Shri Sudhakar Malli as Executive Director effective October 1, 2026. Before this promotion, he was the Chief General Manager-in-Charge of the Department of Supervision at RBI.
What to note Details about key appointments in the Reserve Bank of India and their professional backgrounds are relevant for banking and governance-related questions.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · RBI · Shri Sudhakar Malli · Executive Director · Department of Supervision
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI Issues Master Direction on Note Sorting Machines for Banks
On October 2, 2026, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued a Master Direction on Note Sorting Machines. This directive consolidates and updates all existing guidelines, circulars, and directives issued to banks regarding the use and regulation of note sorting machines.
What to note RBI's regulatory framework on note sorting machines is relevant for questions on banking regulations and currency management.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · Note Sorting Machines · Banking Regulation Act · Master Direction · banks
Full entry with MCQs and sources →RBI Mandates NRD-CSR Return Submission via CIMS Sankalan Portal
The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has directed all banks maintaining Non-Resident Deposits (NRD) accounts to submit the Comprehensive Single Return (NRD-CSR) through the Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) Sankalan portal.
What to note RBI's updated procedure for NRD-CSR return submission through the CIMS Sankalan portal.
Key terms Reserve Bank of India · Non-Resident Deposits · NRD-CSR · CIMS Sankalan portal · XBRL platform
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Bank of Baroda Incorporates Pension Fund Subsidiary with 80.10% Stake
Bank of Baroda, a public sector bank, has incorporated a new pension fund subsidiary in which it holds an 80.10% shareholding.
What to note Recent RBI regulatory changes and Bank of Baroda's strategic moves in pension fund management.
Key terms Bank of Baroda · pension fund subsidiary · Reserve Bank of India · Amendment Directions · mutual funds
Full entry with MCQs and sources →International
The most important of 10 International stories this month.
G20 Trade Ministers Agree to Oppose Weaponisation of Food
At the G20 meeting, trade ministers reached a consensus to oppose the weaponisation of food through coercive trade actions. India emphasized the need to distinguish between coercive restrictions and legitimate food-security measures, highlighting concerns over food security.
What to note Understanding international consensus on food security and trade practices is crucial for questions on global trade policies and India's role in multilateral forums.
Key terms G20 · trade ministers · food weaponisation · food security
Full entry with MCQs and sources →23 Indian Crew Rescued After Ukrainian Drone Attack on Oil Tanker Near Russia
A Ukrainian drone strike set a Liberian-flagged oil tanker ablaze off Russia's Black Sea coast near Sochi. The vessel had 23 Indian crew members aboard. According to the Russian Transport Ministry, all 23 Indians were rescued, with preliminary reports indicating none were hurt.
What to note Details of the Ukrainian drone attack on an oil tanker near Russia and the rescue of Indian crew members are relevant for international relations and maritime security topics.
Key terms Ukraine · Russia · Black Sea · Sochi · Indian crew
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Russia to Employ 70,000 Indian Skilled Workers in 2026: Jaishankar
In a parliamentary panel meeting on India-Russia relations, External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar informed that Russia has agreed to take around 70,000 Indian skilled workers this year.
What to note India-Russia labour cooperation and diplomatic efforts on Ukraine conflict are key topics for international relations questions.
Key terms Russia · S. Jaishankar · Indian skilled workers · Ukraine conflict · parliamentary panel
Full entry with MCQs and sources →PM Modi and Trump Agree to Maintain Close Engagement on Bilateral Cooperation
On 30 September 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and former US President Donald Trump agreed to maintain close engagement to advance their Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership.
What to note Recent developments in India-US bilateral relations and strategic partnerships.
Key terms Narendra Modi · Donald Trump · India-US relations · bilateral cooperation · trade
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Environment
The most important of 4 Environment stories this month.
Supreme Court Conditionally Permits Manufacture of Gen-2 Joined Green Crackers
On September 30, the Supreme Court relaxed its earlier ban on joined green crackers, allowing the manufacture of a redesigned version called Gen-2 joined green crackers. This conditional release is subject to compliance with the conditions set by the National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (NEERI).
What to note Supreme Court's conditional permission for Gen-2 joined green crackers and its impact on the fireworks industry is a key environment and judiciary topic.
Key terms Supreme Court · Gen-2 joined green crackers · NEERI · Sivakasi · fireworks industry
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Three-Year-Old Tigress Released in Buxa Tiger Reserve to Boost Population
A three-year-old tigress was translocated from Bihar's Valmiki Tiger Reserve and released into West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve. This release marks the beginning of phased efforts to establish a viable and self-sustaining tiger population in Buxa.
What to note Wildlife conservation efforts and tiger population management in Indian tiger reserves.
Key terms Buxa Tiger Reserve · tigress · Valmiki Tiger Reserve · West Bengal · tiger population
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Delhi-NCR Imposes Restrictions on Older BS-III Petrol and BS-IV Diesel Cars Under New GRAP Rules
The revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) rules in Delhi-NCR have introduced restrictions on BS-III petrol and BS-IV diesel vehicles during Stage III pollution alerts. These restrictions apply across Delhi, Noida, Gurugram, Ghaziabad, Faridabad, and Sonipat.
What to note The revised GRAP rules and their impact on vehicular pollution control in Delhi-NCR.
Key terms Delhi-NCR · GRAP rules · BS-III petrol cars · BS-IV diesel cars · Stage III
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Sports
The most important of 22 Sports stories this month.
Asian Games 2026: Nitesh wins silver in Greco-Roman wrestling; Ganesh bags archery bronze
At the Asian Games 2026, Nitesh Siwach won a silver medal in the men's 97kg Greco-Roman wrestling category, losing 0-4 to Japan's Yuri Nakazato in the final. This continued India's wait for a Greco-Roman gold since 1962.
What to note India's medal achievements and notable performances at Asian Games 2026.
Key terms Nitesh Siwach · Ganesh Mani Ratnam Thirumuru · Asian Games 2026 · Greco-Roman wrestling · men's individual compound archery
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Shubman Gill Sets Record for Fastest ODI Double Century
Indian cricketer Shubman Gill broke the record for the fastest double century in One Day Internationals (ODI) during a match against the West Indies. He surpassed the previous record held by his teammate Ishan Kishan, who scored an ODI double century in 126 balls against Bangladesh in 2022.
What to note Recent cricket records and notable Indian cricketers' achievements in ODI matches.
Key terms Shubman Gill · Ishan Kishan · West Indies · ODI double century · Bangladesh
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Vithya Ramraj Breaks 42-Year-Old 400m Hurdles Record, Wins Multiple Medals
Vithya Ramraj broke P.T. Usha's 42-year-old 400m hurdles record by winning a bronze medal. She also anchored India to a gold medal in the women's 4×400m relay and a silver medal in the mixed 4×400m relay.
What to note Vithya Ramraj's record-breaking performance and India's achievements in 400m hurdles and relay events.
Key terms Vithya Ramraj · P.T. Usha · 400m hurdles · 4×400m relay · Nehpal Singh Rathore
Full entry with MCQs and sources →India, Germany, Qatar, Turkiye Among Seven Countries Interested in Hosting 2036 Olympics
India, Germany, Qatar, Turkiye, and three other countries have expressed interest in hosting the 2036 Olympic Games. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) has set a deadline of October 31 for any other interested parties to come forward.
What to note Countries interested in hosting the 2036 Olympics and the IOC's timeline for the bidding process.
Key terms Germany · Qatar · Turkiye · International Olympic Committee · 2036 Olympics
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Tamil Nadu
The most important of 5 Tamil Nadu stories this month.
Tamil Nadu CM Vijay launches Vettri Payanam scheme expanding free bus travel for women
Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Vijay launched the Vettri Payanam scheme, an expansion of the five-year-old Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme. The new scheme empowers women by allowing them to travel for free on more bus services across the state.
What to note The objectives and details of the Vettri Payanam scheme launched by Tamil Nadu CM Vijay.
Key terms Tamil Nadu · CM Vijay · Vettri Payanam · Magalir Vidiyal Payanam · Koyambedu bus terminus
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Tamil Nadu's First Barrierless Multi-Lane Free Flow Toll System Operational at Paranur
Tamil Nadu has launched its first barrierless multi-lane free flow tolling system at the Paranur toll plaza on the Tambaram – Tindivanam section of NH-179B.
What to note The implementation of barrierless toll systems and their locations in Tamil Nadu.
Key terms Tamil Nadu · Paranur · FASTag · NH-179B · Tambaram – Tindivanam
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Also this month
Topics with only a story or two this month.
Maharashtra Govt Increases Scholarship Allowance for SC and ST Students
The Maharashtra government has approved an increase in the scholarship allowance for Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students under the Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana. This revision aims to provide better financial support to these students to aid their education.
What to note Recent government initiatives to support SC and ST students through scholarship schemes in Maharashtra.
Key terms Maharashtra government · Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Swayam Yojana · Scheduled Caste · Scheduled Tribe · scholarship allowance
Full entry with MCQs and sources →Defence Minister Rajnath Singh Launches First Fleet Support Ship at Hindustan Shipyard
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched the first Fleet Support Ship (FSS-1) and laid the keel for FSS-5 at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL) in Visakhapatnam.
What to note Recent developments in Indian naval capabilities and indigenous shipbuilding initiatives.
Key terms Rajnath Singh · Fleet Support Ship · Hindustan Shipyard Limited · Visakhapatnam · Slipway-4
Full entry with MCQs and sources →All 7 daily digests for October 2026
Every item in full, with its sources and practice MCQs.