Current Affairs 23 October 2026
39 stories from 22–23 October 2026 for UPSC, RBI, SEBI, NABARD, EPFO and PFRDA aspirants: the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan, the Land Warfare Doctrine, the RBI's leverage ratio and operational risk rules, the October RBI Bulletin, SEBI's relaxation for Research Analysts, engineering exports, the new NMMS app, changes to the PLFS, INDRA 2026, and India's record medal haul at the Asian Para Games.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav | Global Sammelan inaugurated by Hon'ble PM at Bharat Mandapam, 23 Oct; 100+ Chinmaya educational institutions | PMO / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Land Warfare Doctrine | Released by Raksha Mantri at Army Commanders' Conference, 23 Oct | MoD / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Defence production 2025-26 | Record ₹1.78 lakh crore; exports ~₹38,000 crore | MoD / PIB, 23 Oct |
| INDRA 2026 | India–Russia naval exercise; INS Sahyadri left Vladivostok 20 Oct | MoD / PIB, 23 Oct |
| IPRD-2026 | 3–5 Nov, Manekshaw Centre; theme Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific | MoD / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Leverage Ratio 2017 Standard | RBI final directions; effective 1 April 2027 | RBI, 23 Oct |
| Basel III operational risk | New Standardised Approach; revised Basel III framework from 1 April 2027 | RBI, 23 Oct |
| RBI Bulletin, Oct 2026 | 125 bps repo cut → 93 bps fall in fresh-loan WALR (Feb 2025–Mar 2026) | RBI, 23 Oct |
| G-sec auction, 23 Oct | 6.53% GS 2031 yield 7.3589%; 7.71% GS 2066 yield 7.9339% | RBI, 23 Oct |
| SEBI RA circular | Call recordings for institutional clients not mandatory; effective 8 Nov 2026 | SEBI, 23 Oct |
| Engineering exports H1 2026-27 | Over US$70 bn (~20% growth); target US$250 bn by 2030 | DoC / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Total exports Apr–Sep 2026-27 | US$476.20 bn (+14% YoY) | DoC / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Crude steel H1 2026-27 | 85.1 Mt (+2.9%); finished steel consumption 85.0 Mt (+7.6%) | Ministry of Steel / PIB, 23 Oct |
| VB-G RAM G | ~46 crore person-days; Centre's 2026-27 allocation ₹95,692 crore | MoRD / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Khet Bachao Abhiyan | Launched from Taraori, Karnal; awareness drive 22 Oct–30 Nov 2026 | MoA&FW / PIB, 22 Oct |
| Fisheries target | 30 million tonnes in five years; NPOA for inland small-scale fisheries (FAO, BOBP-IGO) | DoF / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Civil Defence Master Trainers | 600 trainers from 12 States/UTs; cascade to 60,000 volunteers | MHA / PIB, 23 Oct |
| PLFS changes | New stratum for digital platform workers from Jan 2027 (Panel 6) | MoSPI / PIB, 23 Oct |
| Asian Para Games 2026 | India 114 medals: 30 gold, 35 silver, 49 bronze (best ever) | Indian Express, 23 Oct |
| Mona Agarwal | World record 357.5 in women's 50m rifle 3P SH1 | The Hindu; AIR, 23 Oct |
Economy
4 storiesEngineering exports cross US$70 billion in April–September 2026; Chintan Shivir sets US$250 billion goal
The Department of Commerce and EEPC India held a Chintan Shivir for the engineering sector to chart a strategy for achieving engineering goods exports of US$250 billion by 2030, according to a release of 23 October 2026. Commerce Secretary Shri Rajesh Agrawal said India's total exports of goods and services grew by 14 per cent year-on-year to US$476.20 billion in April–September 2026-27. Engineering exports crossed US$70 billion in the first six months of 2026-27, registering nearly 20 per cent growth over the same period last year. Participants discussed the availability of raw materials at competitive prices, Quality Control Orders and climate-linked trade measures that affect market access. Joint Secretary Shri Vimal Anand asked EEPC India to consider a higher ambition of US$300 billion and to prepare a white paper on Quality Control Orders in the engineering sector.
Development phase of a national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries begins
India has entered the development phase of a National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, which was formally launched by Department of Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi on 23 October 2026. The plan is being prepared under the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), in collaboration with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO). A two-day national workshop in Bhopal identified priorities, including consultations with fishing communities. Dr. Likhi said India has set a target of 30 million tonnes of fish production in the next five years and expects seafood exports to rise to ₹1.25 lakh crore. He identified climate change and deteriorating water quality, including falling oxygen levels in water bodies, as major concerns for inland fisheries.
Indian Railways records all-time high coal loading in October 2026
Indian Railways achieved an all-time record in coal loading, with growth of 22.5 per cent in October 2026 up to 18 October compared with the same period last year, the Ministry of Railways said on 22 October 2026. Coal loading during this period rose by 87 rakes per day over October 2025. In the first half of 2026-27, the Railways dispatched an average of 430 coal rakes per day to thermal power plants, 7.1 per cent more than a year earlier. Coal rake dispatches in September 2026 were 14 per cent higher per day than in September 2025. The Ministry said rising power demand, higher industrial output and deficient rainfall in some regions have increased the need for coal-based generation, and it is coordinating with the Ministries of Coal and Power to keep plant stocks adequate.
Crude steel output rises 2.9 per cent in April–September 2026
India's crude steel production rose 2.9 per cent to 85.1 million tonnes in April–September 2026, from 82.7 million tonnes a year earlier, according to data released by the Ministry of Steel on 23 October 2026. Finished steel production grew 4.1 per cent to 82.0 million tonnes, while finished steel consumption rose 7.6 per cent to 85.0 million tonnes, showing that growth was led by domestic demand. India was a net importer of finished steel by quantity in the first half, with imports of 4.14 million tonnes against exports of 3.55 million tonnes. The price of HR Coil averaged ₹77,620 per tonne in October 2026, 31.6 per cent higher than a year earlier. The Ministry has also scheduled an Open House on steel import issues on 28 October.
Banking & Markets
7 storiesC-DAC and Bank of India sign an MoU on quantum technologies for banking
The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC), an autonomous scientific society under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology, and Bank of India signed a Memorandum of Understanding on 22 October 2026 to collaborate on quantum financial innovation and emerging technologies in banking. A key focus of the partnership is to develop a Quantum Ecosystem for Financial Innovation, preparing banking systems for both the opportunities and the security risks of quantum computing. The two organisations will explore quantum-inspired and quantum-safe technologies, identify priority banking use cases and test Proofs of Concept in secure sandbox environments. The collaboration combines C-DAC's work in high-performance computing, artificial intelligence, blockchain and cybersecurity with the bank's domain experience. MeitY Secretary Shri S. Krishnan stressed the need to build a quantum-resilient financial ecosystem in an era of growing cybersecurity threats.
IICA signs MoU with the Association of ARCs to strengthen its insolvency programme
The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs (IICA), an autonomous body under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Association of ARCs in India, the representative body of Asset Reconstruction Companies registered with the Reserve Bank of India, according to a release of 22 October 2026. The MoU aims to deepen industry links for IICA's Post Graduate Insolvency Programme (PGIP), which trains insolvency professionals and turnaround specialists. The collaboration covers industry faculty, joint research on distressed assets, data sharing, placement support and an annual joint conference. IICA Director General Shri Gyaneshwar Kumar Singh recalled that the RBI's revised framework for ARCs of 11 October 2022, based on the Sudarshan Sen Committee's recommendations, allowed eligible ARCs to act as resolution applicants under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016. This expanded their role in the resolution of stressed corporate assets.
SEBI drops mandatory call recordings for Research Analysts' institutional clients
The Securities and Exchange Board of India issued a circular on 23 October 2026 relaxing the requirement for Research Analysts and Research Entities to keep call recordings of their conversations with institutional investor clients. Regulation 25(1)(vii) of the SEBI (Research Analysts) Regulations, 2014 requires them to maintain records of communication with clients, including call recordings, and this regulation has been amended following representations from market participants. Under the revised Master Circular, call recordings of interactions with institutional investors will no longer be mandatory, while records of interactions with other clients must still be kept. SEBI clarified that a call recording is not needed when the interaction takes place through a medium with a digital footprint, such as email, and that records must be kept for five years or until any dispute is resolved. The changes, part of SEBI's ease-of-doing-business efforts, come into effect on 8 November 2026.
RBI finalises the Basel Leverage Ratio 2017 Standard from April 2027
The Reserve Bank of India on 23 October 2026 issued the final Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Eleventh Amendment Directions, 2026, to implement the Leverage Ratio 2017 Standard of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision. The draft directions were released on 7 August 2026, and stakeholders were invited to give feedback until 28 August. The RBI said the feedback received was examined and suitable changes were made in the final directions, along with a statement on the comments. The instructions will come into effect from 1 April 2027. The leverage ratio is a simple, non-risk-based measure that compares a bank's Tier 1 capital with its total exposure and acts as a backstop to risk-weighted capital requirements.
RBI sets the implementation date for the new Basel III operational risk approach
The Reserve Bank of India on 23 October 2026 released the Reserve Bank of India (Commercial Banks – Forthcoming Instructions) Second Amendment Directions, 2026, on minimum capital requirements for operational risk. The original Directions of 28 November 2025 had said that the implementation date and the mapping of the components of the Business Indicator (BI) to financial statements would be provided later. The amendment specifies the implementation date for the new Basel III Standardised Approach for operational risk capital and gives an indicative mapping of the BI components. The RBI noted that the Governor had announced on 1 October 2025 that the revised Basel III capital adequacy framework would apply to commercial banks, other than Small Finance Banks, Payments Banks and Regional Rural Banks, from 1 April 2027. The amendment also incorporates additional clarifications issued by the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision.
RBI Bulletin finds 93 bps fall in lending rates after 125 bps of repo cuts
The Reserve Bank of India released the October 2026 issue of its monthly Bulletin on 23 October 2026, with two speeches, four articles and current statistics. The 'State of the Economy' article said high-frequency indicators showed continued strength in industry and services, while headline CPI inflation edged up in September because of food, fuel and core components. A study on monetary transmission found that, in response to a cumulative 125 basis point cut in the policy repo rate, the weighted average lending rate (WALR) on fresh loans of scheduled commercial banks fell by 93 basis points between February 2025 and March 2026. Of this, 80 basis points came from the interest rate effect and 13 basis points from changes in the composition of credit. Another article reported that the NBFC sector kept up double-digit credit growth with improving asset quality up to December 2025, while a third used night-time lights and Google Trends to nowcast State-level economic activity.
Government securities auction: 7.71% GS 2066 cut-off yield at 7.93 per cent
The Reserve Bank of India announced the results of the auction of two Government of India dated securities held on 23 October 2026 for a notified amount of ₹33,000 crore. For the 6.53% GS 2031, with a notified amount of ₹19,000 crore, the cut-off price was ₹96.65, implying a yield to maturity of 7.3589 per cent. For the 7.71% GS 2066, with a notified amount of ₹14,000 crore, the cut-off price was ₹97.30, a yield of 7.9339 per cent. The RBI also conducted a 3-day Variable Rate Repo auction for ₹50,000 crore, which received bids of ₹1,06,949 crore, and allotted ₹50,003 crore at a cut-off rate of 5.58 per cent. Separately, 13 State Governments will raise ₹23,300 crore through an auction of State Government Securities on 27 October 2026.
Polity & Governance
2 storiesVice-President releases the book 'Advantage India' at Uprashtrapati Bhawan
The Vice-President of India, Shri C. P. Radhakrishnan, released the book 'Advantage India: Reshaping the Future for an Equitable World', written by Shri Anil K. Antony, at Uprashtrapati Bhawan, New Delhi, on 23 October 2026. He said India's civilisational heritage, democratic traditions, demographic dividend, robust institutions and expanding technological capabilities together form its distinctive advantage. The Vice-President said that any new innovation or technological advancement should benefit the whole of humanity and should not remain the exclusive property of any one country. He recalled India's role during its G20 Presidency, including the inclusion of the African Union in the G20, and its supply of vaccines to more than 100 countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Principal Scientific Adviser Professor Ajay Sood and Economic Advisory Council to the PM Member Dr. Shamika Ravi were among those present.
MHA and Indian Army to train 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers in 12 States/UTs
The Directorate General of Fire Services, Civil Defence and Home Guards of the Ministry of Home Affairs, together with the Indian Army, is launching a first-of-its-kind pilot to train Civil Defence Master Trainers, the Ministry said on 23 October 2026. The initiative follows Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi's call from the Red Fort on 15 August 2026 to build a vibrant Civil Defence network with modern systems and preparedness. In the first phase, 600 Master Trainers, 50 from each of 12 States and Union Territories, will undergo three-day training at Army establishments by the second week of November 2026. The training covers threat awareness including drones and air-raid threats, protection and emergency response including CBRN awareness and search and rescue, and communication, cyber hygiene and civil-military coordination. Each Master Trainer will then train 100 volunteers, potentially reaching 60,000 Civil Defence volunteers.
International Relations
3 storiesH.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan of the UAE calls on Hon'ble PM
H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs of the United Arab Emirates, called on Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi in New Delhi on 22 October 2026. The Prime Minister's Office shared details of the meeting on 23 October. The UAE is one of India's most important partners in West Asia, and the two countries have a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The relationship also rests on the India-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), which came into force in May 2022. A large Indian community lives and works in the UAE and is an important link between the two countries.
Hon'ble PM receives a telephone call from H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi received a telephone call from the Prime Minister of Israel, H.E. Mr. Benjamin Netanyahu, on 22 October 2026, according to the Prime Minister's Office. The two leaders welcomed the sustained momentum in India-Israel relations and reaffirmed their commitment to further strengthening the Special Strategic Partnership between the two countries. They exchanged views on recent developments in West Asia and underlined the urgent need to restore peace and stability in the region. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi reiterated India's call for dialogue and diplomacy as the way forward. The two leaders agreed to remain in touch.
Shri Piyush Goyal holds trade and investment talks in Berlin
Union Minister of Commerce and Industry Shri Piyush Goyal held a series of meetings in Berlin on 22 October 2026 to strengthen India-Germany trade, investment and industrial cooperation. He held a bilateral meeting with Germany's Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy, Ms. Katherina Reiche, on industrial collaboration and the potential of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement. The two Ministers jointly inaugurated the India Centre at the German Council on Foreign Relations (DGAP) and co-chaired an India-Germany Business Roundtable with German business leaders. Shri Goyal also took part in a panel at the Berlin Global Dialogue, where he spoke about trust, complementary economic strengths and resilient supply chains. He is visiting Germany and the Netherlands with a delegation of about 100 Indian businesses and startups.
Schemes & Missions
6 storiesShri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launches the nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from Karnal
Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the nationwide 'Khet Bachao Abhiyan' from Taraori in Karnal district, Haryana, on 22 October 2026. The campaign aims to create awareness in every village from 22 October to 30 November 2026 against the unbalanced use of chemical fertilisers and pesticides. Farmers and scientists joined virtually from Krishi Vigyan Kendras and agricultural institutions across the country. The Minister said the Union Government is bearing a fertiliser subsidy of more than ₹1.5 lakh crore so that farmers do not face higher costs despite rising international prices. He also handed over an approval for ₹1,343.06 crore to build 28,422 houses in Haryana under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin.
Upgraded NMMS app launched to check fake attendance under VB-G RAM G
Union Minister for Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched an enhanced, security-focused version of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app for recording workers' attendance under the VB-G RAM G rural employment scheme on 23 October 2026. Developed with technical support from IIT Madras, the new version adds device-level security, AI-based verification and safeguards against tampering, along with offline attendance recording in areas without network coverage. The Minister said the scheme, implemented in all rural areas from 1 July 2026, has generated nearly 46 crore person-days, of which about 40 crore were recorded through face authentication. Work has been taken up at 31.23 lakh worksites in more than 2.41 lakh Gram Panchayats, providing employment to more than 3.65 crore workers from 2.89 crore households. The Centre has allocated ₹95,692 crore for the scheme in 2026-27, and the total provision including the States' share exceeds ₹1.51 lakh crore.
19th Urban Mobility India Conference opens in Bhubaneswar
Union Minister of State for Housing and Urban Affairs Shri Tokhan Sahu inaugurated the 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 23 October 2026. The two-day event is organised by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs through the Institute of Urban Transport (India), with support from the Government of Odisha, on the theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age'. The UMI Conference is an annual initiative of the Ministry under the National Urban Transport Policy, 2006. Deliberations cover low-carbon public transport, multimodal integration, first- and last-mile connectivity and the use of digital technology to make cities more accessible and inclusive. Shri Sahu said progress in urban development should be judged by how safely and independently women, children, senior citizens and persons with disabilities can travel within cities, and 28 exhibitors are showcasing urban transport solutions.
NHAI issues guidelines for clean, safe and smart-monitored toilets at toll plazas
The National Highways Authority of India issued guidelines on 23 October 2026 for the upgradation, maintenance and smart monitoring of public toilets and parking areas at National Highway toll plazas. Existing toilets will be technically assessed and upgraded, with cleaning schedules based on the size of the facility and traffic levels. For the safety of women and families travelling at night, the guidelines provide for proper lighting, CCTV surveillance and sanitary napkin vending machines, and every covered toll plaza must have at least one universally accessible toilet for persons with disabilities. Sensors will track water availability, odour, sewage levels and electricity supply, and the data will be integrated with NHAI's central dashboard, while users can give feedback through QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app. Cleaning of septic tanks and sewer lines must be done only through fully mechanised methods.
764 senior citizen homes supported under the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said on 23 October 2026 that 764 Senior Citizen Homes, 13 Continuous Care Homes, 17 Mobile Medicare Units and 3 Physiotherapy Clinics are currently supported under the Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC). IPSrC is a component of the Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), under which grants-in-aid are given to NGOs, State Governments, Panchayati Raj Institutions and local bodies to run facilities for the elderly. The facilities focus on shelter and care for indigent senior citizens, along with mobile healthcare and physiotherapy. The other components of the scheme include the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens and Regional Resource and Training Centres (RRTCs). Each RRTC receives annual financial support of ₹19.58 lakh for outreach, capacity building and service delivery.
PM-DAKSH trained 1.87 lakh candidates and placed over 96,000 in four years
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment said on 22 October 2026 that 1,87,305 candidates were trained and 96,162 were placed under the PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) scheme between 2020-21 and 2023-24. The Central Sector Scheme, launched in 2020-21, provided skill training to Scheduled Castes, Other Backward Classes, Economically Weaker Sections, De-notified Tribes and Safai Karamcharis, including waste pickers. It was implemented through the NSFDC, NBCFDC and NSKFDC, the three corporations of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. From 2024-25, PM-DAKSH was merged with the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) of the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship to avoid duplication. Training institutes had to place at least 70 per cent of trained candidates, failing which the final 30 per cent instalment of the training cost was forfeited.
Health & Nutrition
2 storiesDepartment of Pharmaceuticals sets up a committee to review drug marketing practices
The Department of Pharmaceuticals in the Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers constituted a committee on 23 October 2026 to examine the regulatory framework for pharmaceutical marketing practices and recommend ways to curb unethical practices. The committee is chaired by NITI Aayog Member Dr. M. Srinivas, with former Union Health Secretary Smt. Preeti Sudan and Medanta CMD Dr. Naresh Trehan as members. It must submit its recommendations within two months of its first meeting. The Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) was introduced in 2015 as a voluntary, industry-led code, and was replaced by UCPMP 2024, which is currently in force. The committee will assess the effectiveness of existing monitoring and enforcement and may suggest regulatory or statutory measures.
Union Health Minister reviews services at ABVIMS and Dr. RML Hospital
Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare Shri J. P. Nadda reviewed patient care, services and infrastructure at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia Hospital, New Delhi, on 23 October 2026. He was told that the hospital recorded 19.4 lakh outpatient visits, more than 82,500 inpatient admissions and over 96,600 surgeries and procedures in 2025. Dr. RML Hospital became the first Central Government multi-specialty hospital to receive full accreditation from the National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers (NABH) in 2025. The number of Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY kiosks at the hospital has been raised from one to three. The Minister called for stronger implementation of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, including wider use of e-prescriptions.
Environment
1 storyCAQM reviews stubble-burning control measures with Punjab and Haryana
The Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), chaired by Shri Rajesh Verma, held separate review meetings with the Governments of Punjab and Haryana in Chandigarh on 22 October 2026. The meeting with Punjab focused on the State Action Plan for preventing paddy stubble burning under CAQM Direction No. 99 of 15 May 2026, including the deployment and use of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery. The Commission also reviewed the use of satellite-based fire alerts, drones and low-cost sensors to monitor burning incidents. Compliance with Direction No. 92, which mandates the use of paddy-straw-based pellets and briquettes in brick kilns, and biomass co-firing in thermal power plants were also taken up. The review with Haryana additionally covered vehicular pollution, road and construction dust and industrial emissions.
Science & Tech
2 storiesC-DOT sets up its sixth Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU), Varanasi
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the telecom research and development centre of the Department of Telecommunications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IIT (BHU), Varanasi, to set up its sixth Centre of Excellence, according to a release of 23 October 2026. The Centre will work on wireless communications, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and AI-driven communication systems. Its research areas include 5G Advanced and 6G technologies, very large-scale Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, integrated sensing and communication, and quantum and post-quantum communication. The Centre of Excellence was inaugurated after the MoU was signed. C-DOT Chief Executive Officer Dr. Rajkumar Upadhyay said the Centre is an investment in India's future technology capabilities and in indigenous solutions for the digital future.
ARIES study links black hole spin to flickering X-rays from accretion discs
Scientists at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology, have identified a mechanism that explains the quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in X-rays emitted by matter around spinning black holes, the Ministry of Science and Technology said on 23 October 2026. Using computer simulations of viscous accretion flows, the team found that when the viscosity of the flow crosses a critical value, a normally stable shock in the disc begins to oscillate and produces nearly periodic flickering of light. The spin of the black hole strongly affects the position of this shock and the frequency of the QPOs. In slowly spinning black holes the shock stays farther out and produces mainly low-frequency QPOs, while rapidly spinning black holes pull it closer, producing a much wider range, with frequencies that can exceed 100 Hz for a black hole of about ten solar masses. The work, involving the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center of Poland and MJP Rohilkhand University, was published in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics.
Defence
4 storiesRaksha Mantri releases the Land Warfare Doctrine at the Army Commanders' Conference
Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi on 23 October 2026 and released the Land Warfare Doctrine, which provides an overarching framework to prepare the Indian Army for the changing character of warfare. He urged the Army's senior leadership to adopt a long-term strategic vision covering the next 20 to 30 years, while remaining ready to respond to immediate challenges. He said land forces would remain indispensable despite the growing importance of the air, maritime, space and cyber domains, and called for an integrated, multi-domain approach to joint operations. The Raksha Mantri said defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, and defence exports reached an all-time high of about ₹38,000 crore. He also unveiled the annual United Nations Journal and felicitated Army personnel for their service as UN peacekeepers.
India-Russia naval exercise INDRA 2026 concludes off Vladivostok
The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy concluded, and INS Sahyadri departed Vladivostok on 20 October 2026, the Ministry of Defence said on 23 October. The exercise was held in two phases, a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase. The Harbour Phase included leadership interactions, cross-deck visits, subject matter expert exchanges, sports fixtures and cultural events. The Sea Phase involved coordinated manoeuvres, integrated communications, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills to improve interoperability. The Ministry said the exercise reaffirmed the long-standing defence and maritime partnership between India and Russia.
INS Trishul concludes port call at Lisbon, Portugal
Indian Naval Ship Trishul concluded a port call at Lisbon, Portugal, on 21 October 2026 as part of its overseas deployment, the Ministry of Defence said on 23 October. During the visit, the ship's Commanding Officer called on the Commander of the Portuguese Navy and discussed operational synergy, interoperability and further collaboration. The ship was opened to visitors, including members of the Indian diaspora and Portuguese naval personnel. The Ambassador of India to Portugal, H.E. Shri Puneet R. Kundal, visited the ship, and a cultural exchange was hosted on board with envoys and officers of the Portuguese and Brazilian Navies. The visit was aimed at strengthening maritime cooperation between India and Portugal.
Indian Navy to host the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 from 3 to 5 November
The Indian Navy will hold the 2026 edition of the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD-2026) at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, from 3 to 5 November 2026, the Ministry of Defence announced on 23 October. The National Maritime Foundation is the Navy's knowledge partner and the principal organiser of the annual conference. This year's theme is 'Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific', and experts from 18 countries are expected to take part. The sessions will cover academic networks, maritime situational awareness and the protection of critical maritime infrastructure, oceanographic science and climate resilience, and ocean governance. The dialogue builds on the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI), announced by Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi at the 14th East Asia Summit in Bangkok in November 2019, which supports India's maritime vision of MAHASAGAR.
Reports & Indices
1 storyNSO proposes changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey from January 2027
The National Statistics Office (NSO) of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation announced on 23 October 2026 that it plans to modify the sampling design and schedule of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from January 2027, and invited public comments within 15 days. The PLFS has been conducted since 2017, and its design was revamped in January 2025 to provide monthly, quarterly and annual estimates. The NSO said the existing design did not capture enough digital platform workers, a subset of gig workers, so a new Second Stage Stratum based on platform work will be added. There will be four such strata in rural areas and five in urban areas, with 14 households surveyed in each selected First Stage Unit. Fresh samples for 2027-2028, called Panel 6, will be drawn from an updated sampling frame that reflects urbanisation and changes in district boundaries.
Sports
4 storiesIndia finishes the Asian Para Games 2026 with a record 114 medals
India ended its campaign at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, on 23 October 2026 with its best-ever haul of 114 medals, comprising 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze. India was placed fourth in the medal table, and no Indian athlete was scheduled to compete on the final day of the Games. The tally surpassed India's previous best from the Hangzhou edition held in 2023, even though a smaller contingent of 168 para athletes travelled to Japan compared with 309 to Hangzhou. Para athletics contributed 65 medals, including 22 gold, and para badminton added 16 medals. Para swimming improved sharply to 11 medals and para table tennis to seven bronze medals.
Mona Agarwal sets a world record to win her second gold in Nagoya
Indian para shooter Mona Agarwal won the women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1 gold at the Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026 with a world record score of 357.5. The previous world record of 356 had been set by Sweden's Anna Benson at Novi Sad in July 2026, and Agarwal also bettered the Asian record. China's Zhang Cuiping took silver with 353.7 and South Korea's Kim Miyoung won bronze, while India's Avani Lekhara finished fourth with 333.2. It was Agarwal's second gold of the Games after her win in the women's 10m air rifle standing SH1 event. The SH1 class is for shooters who can support the weight of the firearm with their own arms without a stand.
Para shuttlers win three golds, led by Nitesh Kumar and the Thulasimathi–Manasi pair
Indian para badminton players won three gold medals at the Asian Para Games on 23 October 2026. Thulasimathi Murugesan and Manasi Girishchandra Joshi won the women's doubles SL3-SU5 title, beating China's Yang Qiuxia and Xiao Zuxian 21-16, 21-13 in the final. Paris Paralympic champion Nitesh Kumar won the men's singles SL3 gold by defeating compatriot Pramod Bhagat, who took silver. Naveen Sivakumar won the men's singles SL4 gold against Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan. Thulasimathi Murugesan also won silver medals in the women's singles SU5 and, with Nitesh Kumar, in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5.
World records for Sandeep Kumar and Haney; archery gold for Harvinder Singh and Vijay Sundi
Indian para athletes set two world records on 23 October 2026, the last day of India's campaign at the Asian Para Games, according to All India Radio. Sandeep Kumar won the men's 400 metres gold in a world record time of 52.28 seconds, and Ajay Kumar took bronze in the same race. Haney won the men's javelin throw F37 gold with a world record effort of 60.49 metres. In para archery, Paralympic champion Harvinder Singh and debutant Vijay Sundi won the men's recurve doubles gold, while Pooja Jatyan and Bhawna Choudhary won silver in the women's recurve doubles. Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi congratulated the women's pair on India's first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Para Games.
Art & Culture
3 storiesHon'ble PM inaugurates the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam
Hon'ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi inaugurated the Chinmaya Amrit Mahotsav Global Sammelan at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 23 October 2026. The Prime Minister recalled meeting the founder of the Chinmaya Mission, Swami Chinmayananda, in Vadodara in 1993, and said the experience was revived for him through a Holobot interaction with the late spiritual teacher at the event. He noted that young volunteers of the Mahotsav had covered about 40,000 kilometres over 300 days to engage with more than one lakh young citizens. The Prime Minister said more than 100 Chinmaya educational institutions are shaping the future of lakhs of students and recalled that Swami Chinmayananda made the first financial contribution towards the Vivekananda Rock Memorial at Kanyakumari. He also observed that the centenary of India's Independence in 2047 will coincide with the centenary period of the Chinmaya Mission.
Hon'ble President attends the Bastar Dussehra programme at Jagdalpur
Hon'ble President Smt. Droupadi Murmu attended and addressed a public programme at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, on 23 October 2026 on the occasion of Bastar Dussehra. She described Bastar Dussehra as a vibrant symbol of Chhattisgarh's cultural pride and collective faith, and said the rituals of the festival build kinship among different sections of society. The President said tribal communities worship nature as life-giving, and urged that the journey of development should draw lessons from their nature-nurturing way of life. Before the programme, she interacted with the local Manjhi and Chalki at the Muriya Darbar, a traditional assembly associated with the festival. She also offered prayers at the Maa Danteshwari Temple and visited the Rangoli and Dussehra exhibition at Jagdalpur.
Kittur Rani Chennamma's birth anniversary and 202nd Victory Celebration marked at Parliament
The birth anniversary of Kittur Rani Chennamma and the 202nd Victory Celebration were commemorated at Prerana Sthal in the Parliament premises, New Delhi, on 23 October 2026. The programme was led by Union Minister of State for Railways and Jal Shakti Shri V. Somanna and was attended by Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla and Union Jal Shakti Minister Shri C. R. Patil. Rani Chennamma, the queen of the princely state of Kittur in present-day Karnataka, led an armed resistance against the East India Company in 1824. Her early victory over the Company's forces is commemorated each year as the Kittur Utsava. Shri Somanna described her as an immortal symbol of resistance and an inspiration for those who protect the country today.
Quick-revision MCQs
Ten questions drawn from today’s stories. Tap an option to check yourself.
Q1.The Land Warfare Doctrine released on 23 October 2026 by Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh is meant for which service?
Answer: B. It was released at the Army Commanders' Conference in New Delhi to prepare the Indian Army for the changing character of warfare.
Q2.The RBI's final directions on the Leverage Ratio 2017 Standard of the Basel Committee come into effect from:
Answer: C. The Eleventh Amendment Directions, 2026 on capital adequacy were issued on 23 October 2026 and take effect on 1 April 2027.
Q3.According to the RBI Bulletin of October 2026, a cumulative 125 bps repo rate cut led to a fall in the WALR on fresh loans of:
Answer: A. The fall of 93 bps was made up of an 80 bps interest rate effect and a 13 bps composition effect.
Q4.Under SEBI's circular of 23 October 2026, Research Analysts no longer have to keep call recordings of interactions with:
Answer: D. The relaxation applies only to institutional investors and takes effect from 8 November 2026.
Q5.India-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 concluded off which port?
Answer: C. INS Sahyadri departed Vladivostok on 20 October 2026 after the Harbour and Sea phases of the exercise.
Q6.The Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 is organised by the Indian Navy with which knowledge partner?
Answer: B. IPRD-2026 will be held at the Manekshaw Centre, New Delhi, from 3 to 5 November 2026.
Q7.C-DOT's sixth Centre of Excellence, announced on 23 October 2026, has been set up at:
Answer: A. The Centre will work on 5G Advanced/6G, quantum technologies, cybersecurity and AI-driven communication systems.
Q8.The national action plan for small-scale inland fisheries is being developed under the framework of the FAO along with:
Answer: D. The Department of Fisheries is leading the NPOA with BOBP-IGO; India targets 30 million tonnes of fish production in five years.
Q9.From January 2027, the Periodic Labour Force Survey will add a new Second Stage Stratum to better capture:
Answer: C. The NSO found the existing design did not capture enough digital platform workers, a subset of gig workers.
Q10.Mona Agarwal set a world record of 357.5 at the Asian Para Games 2026 in which event?
Answer: B. She beat the previous world record of 356; it was her second gold of the Games.
Source: Press Information Bureau (PIB), Reserve Bank of India, SEBI, All India Radio, The Hindu, The Indian Express and Hindustan Times.
Disclaimer: This page is for educational purposes only. It is compiled from publicly available official sources and reputable news reports, and every story is written in our own words for exam revision. CrackTarget is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to any government body, regulator or ministry. Readers should check the official notifications, circulars and press releases before relying on any detail for an examination, application or decision.