Current Affairs 12 October 2026
Current affairs of 33 for UPSC, RBI, SEBI, NABARD, EPFO and PFRDA aspirants: retail inflation data, Governor appointments, India-UK economic ties, naval and defence updates and other key news.
On this page
Key facts at a glance
The numbers and names most likely to turn up in Prelims, Phase 1 or a GA section.
| Topic | What to remember | Source, date |
|---|---|---|
| CPI Sept 2026 | 5.54% (base 2024=100) | PIB |
| Food inflation | 7.74% | PIB |
| New Governors | Keralam, TN, Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand, Sikkim | PIB |
| INS Mangrol | P82; 3rd Mahe-class ASW-SWC | PIB |
| JETCO | 16th India-UK; trade to double by 2030 | PIB |
| RDIF | 19 SLFMs; ₹7,131 cr commitment | PIB |
| Internet users | 1,114.17 mn (June 2026) | PIB |
| Services medals | 27 at 2026 Asian Games | PIB |
| SARAS Mela | Vijayawada, 13-31 Oct | PIB |
| Nobel Economics | Robert E. Hall, Michael Woodford | AIR |
Economy
2 storiesRetail inflation rises to 5.54% in September
Retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index (base 2024=100) was 5.54% in September 2026, as per provisional data from MoSPI. It was 4.83% in August. Rural inflation was 6.08% and urban inflation 4.88%. Food inflation based on the Consumer Food Price Index rose to 7.74% from 5.97% in August. Inflation is above the RBI's medium-term target of 4%. The new CPI series uses 2024 as the base year.
Coal stocks at power plants stable above 18 MT
Coal stocks at domestic coal-based power plants have stayed above 18 million tonnes since 29 September 2026. Stocks were 18.932 MT on 29 September and 18.205 MT on 10 October. The Ministry of Coal said supplies are keeping pace with daily consumption. Plants with critical stocks are being closely monitored. Coal is being redistributed to vulnerable stations as needed. The Ministry said stock depletion has thinned out in October as supplies strengthened.
Banking & Markets
1 storyRBI launches SIOS and IOS survey rounds
The RBI launched the 51st round of its Services and Infrastructure Outlook Survey for October-December 2026. It also launched the 116th round of the Industrial Outlook Survey of manufacturing. The surveys assess business conditions in the current quarter and expectations for the next. They cover demand, financial and employment conditions and prices. Outlook for two later quarters is also captured. The findings help the RBI in assessing economic conditions for policy.
Polity & Governance
3 storiesPresident appoints Governors of six States
The President has made appointments of Governors to six States. Shri Om Prakash Mathur, Governor of Sikkim, has been appointed Governor of Keralam. Shri Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar moves from Keralam to Tamil Nadu. Shri Braj Mohan Ram is the new Governor of Odisha and Dr. Sudha Yadav of Karnataka. Dr. Dhal Singh Bisen has been appointed Governor of Uttarakhand and Shri Dushyant Gautam of Sikkim.
First BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting
India will host the first BIMSTEC Home Ministers' Meeting in New Delhi on 13 October 2026. Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah welcomed the visiting ministers and delegations. He said the meeting reflects a shared resolve against terrorism, organised crime and narcotics. Trafficking and illicit financing will also be discussed. BIMSTEC has seven members around the Bay of Bengal.
NHRC celebrates 33rd Foundation Day
The NHRC celebrated its 33rd Foundation Day at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, on 12 October 2026. It held a national conference on 'Water as the Elixir of Life: Advancing Human Dignity through the Right to Water'. Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant was the Chief Guest. He said the Constitution has made extensive provisions for human dignity. The Commission was set up on 12 October 1993.
International Relations
3 stories16th India-UK JETCO held in New Delhi
Union Minister Shri Piyush Goyal and UK Secretary of State for Business and Trade, the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds, held the 16th India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee (JETCO) in New Delhi. It was the first JETCO since CETA negotiations began in January 2022. The two sides adopted a joint statement. The Commerce Minister called for doubling bilateral trade by 2030. He said CETA gives zero-duty access in the UK for most Indian exports.
8th India-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting
Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh and the Rt Hon Jonathan Reynolds held the 8th India-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting in New Delhi. The meeting reviewed bilateral science and innovation cooperation. It explored research partnerships and emerging technology collaboration. Cooperation in space, civil nuclear energy and emerging technologies was also discussed. PSA Prof. Ajay Sood and the Secretaries of DST, DBT and MoES were part of the Indian delegation.
India-UK talks on animal husbandry cooperation
Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh held a bilateral meeting with the Rt Hon Dame Angela Eagle, UK Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, in New Delhi. They discussed cooperation in animal health, sustainable livestock production, genomics and advanced reproductive technologies. Capacity-building through exchange of expertise was also discussed. Both sides explored opportunities under the India-UK CETA. These include market access and regulatory issues for livestock, dairy, marine and other animal-origin products.
World
1 storyNobel Prize in Economics 2026
American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford won the 2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences. They were honoured for macroeconomic models that help policymakers stabilise economies in booms and recessions. The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences said their work strengthened the basis for fiscal and monetary policy. It has improved the ability of central banks to respond to economic swings. Woodford is known for work on monetary policy rules and inflation targeting.
Schemes & Missions
7 storiesPMDDKY completes one year; top districts felicitated
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana completed one year of implementation on 11 October 2026. Union Minister Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan felicitated top-performing districts at a national conference at NASC, Pusa, New Delhi. More than 370 delegates, including District Collectors, scientists and farmers, attended. He said the first year built strong foundations. The coming year must deliver visible results on the ground.
ICMR-CHAMP foundation stone laid at Keylong
Union Health Minister Shri J. P. Nadda laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong, Himachal Pradesh. The centre will study health challenges in the Himalayan region. These include effects of low oxygen and extreme cold. It will also cover health needs of personnel serving in high-altitude areas. The Minister stressed research on the lifestyles of tribal communities.
Display of healthcare service rates at clinics
The Union Health Ministry has urged all States and UTs to ensure prominent display of rates at clinical establishments. Health Secretary Smt. Punya Salila Srivastava wrote to Chief Secretaries on the issue. The aim is transparency, accountability and patient-centric care. Rates for services and facilities should be clearly shown. The letter was sent to the Chief Secretaries of all States and UTs. Clear display of rates helps patients make informed choices.
PM-SETU agreements for Surat and Visakhapatnam ITIs
Shareholders' Agreements were signed under PM-SETU to upgrade Government ITIs in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh. The partner is ArcelorMittal Nippon Steel India. The agreements cover five ITIs in Surat and four in Visakhapatnam. They were signed by DGT, the two State Governments and AM/NS India. PM-SETU aims to transform India's ITI ecosystem through industry-led clusters. The agreements pave the way for approved Strategic Investment Plans in the two States.
MoU to train over 6 lakh rural youth through RSETIs
The Ministry of Rural Development exchanged an MoU with the National Academy of RUDSETI on 12 October 2026. It aims at uniform training standards across Rural Self Employment Training Institutes. More than 6 lakh rural youth are to be trained this year. Candidate registration will be improved through Kaushal Panjee and Aadhaar-based face authentication. Rural Development Secretary Shri Rohit Kansal was present.
National SARAS Mela in Vijayawada
The first National SARAS Mela outside Delhi-NCR will be held in Vijayawada from 13 to 31 October 2026. It is organised by the Ministry of Rural Development with SERP, Andhra Pradesh. More than 1,500 women from Self-Help Groups from over 30 States and UTs will take part. Rural crafts, handlooms and regional cuisines will be showcased. The Mela will be inaugurated by President Smt. Droupadi Murmu.
Development projects worth ₹331 crore in Mizoram
Union DoNER Minister Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia inaugurated and laid foundation stones for projects worth ₹331 crore in Mizoram. At Tuivamit, he inaugurated five projects worth ₹102 crore. He laid foundation stones of five projects worth ₹228.54 crore. The projects cover roads, power, water supply, health, education and sports. Mizoram Chief Minister Pu Lalduhoma was present.
Environment
4 storiesIMD launches Cyclone Decision Support System
The India Meteorological Department dedicated a Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System to the nation on 12 October 2026. It is an interactive WebGIS-based platform. The launch took place at the pre-cyclone exercise meeting for the October-December season. The meeting was chaired by Director General Dr. Mrutyunjay Mohapatra. He is also the third Vice President of the World Meteorological Organisation.
New office of International Big Cat Alliance
Union Minister Shri Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the new office of the International Big Cat Alliance at Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. IBCA Director General Dr. S.P. Yadav gave an overview of its programmes. The alliance works for the conservation of seven big cats. These are the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma. IBCA was launched by India in 2023. Officials of the Environment Ministry attended the ceremony.
CAQM reviews road dust mitigation in Delhi
The Commission for Air Quality Management reviewed preparedness of all 12 MCD zones for road dust mitigation. Deep cleaning of roads in Delhi was also reviewed. The hearing was chaired by CAQM Chairperson Shri Rajesh Verma. It focused on removal of accumulated dust, garbage and construction and demolition waste from roads, medians and footpaths. Road dust is a major source of particulate pollution in winter. CAQM was set up under the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas Act, 2021.
APARC General Assembly 2026 at IITM Pune
The APARC General Assembly 2026 began at IITM Pune. Global experts gathered to discuss the future of atmospheric and climate research. APARC stands for Atmospheric Processes And their Role in Climate. It is a core project of the World Climate Research Programme. MoES Secretary Dr. Srinivasa Kumar Tummala was the Chief Guest. IITM is an autonomous institute under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
Science & Tech
2 storiesRDIF names first 19 second-level fund managers
The Research, Development and Innovation Fund has announced its first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers. The Empowered Group of Secretaries approved 14 Alternative Investment Funds and 5 Focused Research Organisations on 8 October 2026. The total RDIF commitment is ₹7,131 crore. The ₹1 lakh crore RDI Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister in November 2025. It aims to make India a developer of globally competitive technologies.
TDB supports Peptris with ₹86 crore for AI drug discovery
The Technology Development Board signed an agreement with Peptris Technologies, Bengaluru, for ₹86 crore under the RDI Fund. The project, VIGOR, has a total cost of ₹172 crore. It aims to take AI-discovered drug molecules from the lab to the clinic. Four drug candidates will be advanced to higher technology readiness levels. TDB works under the Department of Science and Technology. The RDI Fund supports high-risk research and innovation by private firms.
Defence
6 storiesINS Mangrol commissioned into the Navy
The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol (P82) at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, on 12 October 2026. It is the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft. The ceremony was presided over by Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, FOC-in-C, Western Naval Command. The ship was designed and built by Cochin Shipyard Limited with over 80% indigenous content. MSMEs contributed to its construction.
INS Tarkash to join IBSAMAR IX in South Africa
INS Tarkash, a guided missile stealth frigate, is deployed to South Africa for the ninth edition of the IBSAMAR exercise. IBSAMAR brings together the navies of India, Brazil and South Africa. It has been held every two years since 2008 under the IBSA framework. The exercise covers surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare. It also includes anti-piracy, search and rescue and boarding drills.
Services athletes felicitated for 27 Asian Games medals
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh felicitated athletes from the defence forces who won 27 medals at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan. The haul included 6 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze medals. It was the Services' best-ever performance at the Games. A total of 92 athletes from the three Services competed in 19 disciplines. India won 85 medals overall and finished fourth. The Services athletes made a significant contribution to this result.
Indian Army launches 'Bharat Rice' for troops
The Indian Army launched 'Bharat Rice' for the defence forces in New Delhi on 12 October 2026. Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh and Union Minister Shri Pralhad Joshi attended. The rice will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including in Ladakh and the North East. The Army and the Food Corporation of India also signed an MoU. It allows use of FCI infrastructure during operational contingencies.
Coast Guard team scales Mount Mukut
A 17-member Indian Coast Guard team scaled Mount Mukut, a 7,045-metre peak, on 7 October 2026. Uttarakhand Chief Minister Shri Pushkar Singh Dhami flagged in the team in Dehradun on 12 October. The climb was guided by the Himalayan Mountaineering Institute, Darjeeling. It was the final phase of an 18-month training programme. The team is preparing to climb Mount Everest during the ICG's Swarnim Jayanti in 2027.
Vice-President addresses 66th NDC Course
Vice-President Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan addressed participants of the 66th Course of the National Defence College, New Delhi. The theme was 'India's Core Values, National Interests and National Objectives'. He said national strategy must turn national purpose into action. The NDC trains senior officers of the armed forces and civil services, including officers from friendly foreign countries. It was established in 1960 in New Delhi.
Reports & Indices
1 storyTRAI quarterly report: internet subscribers at 1,114 million
TRAI released the Indian Telecom Services Performance Indicator Report for April-June 2026. Internet subscribers rose from 1,092.79 million at the end of March to 1,114.17 million at the end of June 2026. Wireless internet subscribers numbered 1,066.43 million. Broadband subscribers grew 2.03% to 1,087.50 million. Wireline subscribers fell from 48.25 million to 47.82 million. The report also covers cable TV, DTH and radio broadcasting.
Sports
1 storyBRICS Traditional and Indigenous Games held in Ahmedabad
The BRICS Traditional and Indigenous Demonstration Games 2026 were held in Ahmedabad on 12 October 2026. They celebrated the sporting heritage and cultural diversity of BRICS nations. The event was organised by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports with Gujarat. It was held at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex. The Games are part of India's BRICS Chairship. Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya inaugurated the event.
Important Days
2 storiesBRICS Theatre Festival 2026 begins at NSD
The BRICS Theatre Festival 2026 began at the National School of Drama, New Delhi, on 12 October 2026. The theme is 'Shared Stories, Shared Futures'. It is organised by the Ministry of Culture under India's BRICS Presidency and runs till 14 October. Artists from nine BRICS member and partner countries are taking part. These include Russia, Iran, South Africa, Ethiopia, Indonesia and Thailand.
Tributes to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia and Shri Shivraj V. Patil
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi paid homage to Rajmata Vijayaraje Scindia on her birth anniversary on 12 October. Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla paid floral tributes to former Speaker Shri Shivraj V. Patil on his birth anniversary. The tribute was held in the Central Hall of Samvidhan Sadan. Shri Patil was Speaker of the Tenth Lok Sabha. He also served as Union Home Minister.
Quick-revision MCQs
Tap an option to check it. Every question comes from the stories above.
Q1.CPI inflation for September 2026 (base 2024=100) was:
Answer: C. Provisional 5.54%.
Q2.Who has been appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu?
Answer: B. Shri Arlekar moves from Keralam.
Q3.INS Mangrol belongs to which class?
Answer: B. Third Mahe-class ASW-SWC.
Q4.IBSAMAR involves navies of India, Brazil and:
Answer: B. India-Brazil-South Africa.
Q5.How many medals did Services athletes win at the 2026 Asian Games?
Answer: C. 6 gold, 11 silver, 10 bronze.
Q6.The 16th India-UK JETCO set a goal to double trade by:
Answer: B. By 2030.
Q7.Total RDIF commitment approved for the first cohort is:
Answer: B. ₹7,131 crore.
Q8.The first National SARAS Mela outside Delhi-NCR is in:
Answer: B. Vijayawada.
Q9.IBCA covers how many big cat species?
Answer: C. Seven big cats.
Q10.The 2026 Nobel in Economics went to:
Answer: A. Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and All India Radio (News On AIR).
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