National News
India Releases Four Great Indian Bustards into Wild
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India released four male Great Indian Bustards into the wild at Desert National Park near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, in October 2026.
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The birds were part of a group of 10 earmarked for release from conservation-breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra.
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By October 2026, the breeding facilities housed 96 birds, including 56 bred in captivity.
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The programme marks a shift towards rewilding, habitat restoration and recovery of the Critically Endangered species.
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Long-term conservation depends on survival monitoring, habitat protection and successful breeding in the wild.
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Key Fact: Great Indian Bustard — Ardeotis nigriceps; conservation site — Desert National Park, Rajasthan.
Enhanced NMMS App Introduces AI Face Verification and Offline Attendance
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Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched the upgraded National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app on 23 October 2026.
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The app supports attendance monitoring under the VB-G RAM G scheme.
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New features include AI-based face verification, liveness detection, device security checks and offline attendance recording.
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These measures aim to prevent impersonation, fraudulent attendance and unauthorised app use while protecting workers’ wages.
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Since implementation began on 1 July 2026, the scheme has generated nearly 46 crore person-days of employment.
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Key Fact: Budget allocation for 2026–27 — ₹95,692 crore; technical support — IIT Madras and other agencies.
State News
Keralam Plans Statewide Child Vulnerability Mapping for Protection
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Keralam’s Women and Child Development Department announced statewide mapping to identify vulnerable children on 23 October 2026.
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The initiative targets children facing malnutrition, educational disruption, neglect or abuse.
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The decision followed the suspected malnutrition-related death of a two-year-old child in Alappuzha.
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District officials will coordinate with local self-government institutions, health authorities and police to protect and rehabilitate vulnerable children.
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Anganwadi workers, ICDS supervisors and counsellors will monitor nutrition, growth and well-being, alongside individual care plans and post-rehabilitation monitoring.
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Key Fact: Legal framework — Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Uttar Pradesh Tops States in Mission Karmayogi Implementation Rankings
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Uttar Pradesh ranked first among states for implementing Mission Karmayogi, followed by Rajasthan and Jammu and Kashmir.
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Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building (NPCSCB).
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The recognition was announced at a Northern Regional Workshop organised by the Uttar Pradesh Academy of Administration and Management and the Capacity Building Commission.
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Uttar Pradesh reported approximately 19.23 lakh registered users on the iGOT Karmayogi platform.
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The workshop introduced the Unnati Capability Index and National Curriculum Design Framework to improve competency-based training and assess training institutions.
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Key Fact: iGOT Karmayogi platform — a digital learning platform for government employees.
Maharashtra Launches Mission Murghas to Combat Drought Fodder Shortages
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Maharashtra launched Mission Murghas on 24 October 2026 to address drought-related fodder shortages.
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The initiative follows the state Cabinet’s Fodder Development Policy announced on 29 September 2026.
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The policy targets additional fodder cultivation across 331.42 thousand hectares over five years.
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Measures include seed distribution, fodder banks, grass cultivation, fodder trees and participation by women’s self-help groups.
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District-level initiatives in Nanded, Latur and Pune aim to increase fodder production and regulate supplies.
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Key Fact: Fodder seed fund — ₹62 crore; programme objective — protect livestock and support rural livelihoods.
Tenkasi Expands Wildlife Ambassadors Programme to Protect Madras Hedgehog
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The Tenkasi Forest Division in Tamil Nadu proposed expanding its Golden Jackal Ambassadors programme on 22 October 2026.
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The expanded initiative will include the Madras hedgehog, locally known as mulleli.
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Launched in 2025, the programme promotes wildlife conservation through community participation.
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Students, local youth, villagers and Forest Guard Brothers and Sisters will support species identification, awareness campaigns and sighting reports.
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Major threats include habitat loss, road accidents, illegal hunting and pesticide exposure.
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Key Fact: Madras hedgehog — Paraechinus nudiventris; also known as the bare-bellied hedgehog.
International News
Ukraine Joins NATO Procurement Partnership for Defence Equipment
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Ukraine joined the NATO Support and Procurement Agency’s (NSPA) Security Cooperation Support Partnership (SCSP) on 22 October 2026.
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The partnership enables Ukrainian defence companies to compete for procurement contracts and participate in agency tenders.
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Ukraine can also procure military equipment through existing contracts where applicable.
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An industry outreach event in Kyiv brought together around 150 Ukrainian defence companies to explain supplier registration and bidding procedures.
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The partnership provides a framework for defence procurement cooperation without granting Ukraine NATO membership.
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Key Fact: Participating organisations and countries include Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, NATO Headquarters and Ukraine.
US Designates Helium as Critical Material Amid Supply Risks
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The United States Department of Energy designated helium a critical material on 23 October 2026 under the Energy Act of 2020.
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According to the supplied report, helium became the 20th material on the department’s critical-materials list.
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Helium is used in semiconductor manufacturing, medical imaging, scientific research and space exploration.
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Supply-chain vulnerabilities, limited refining capacity and geopolitical disruptions can affect its availability.
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The designation aims to strengthen supply-chain security, encourage domestic production and reduce risks to dependent industries.
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Key Fact: Chemical symbol — He; atomic number — 2; classification — noble gas.
Banking News
RBI to Open ₹169-Crore Data Centre in Odisha on October 25
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Prime Minister Narendra Modi is scheduled to inaugurate the RBI’s ₹169-crore data centre on 25 October 2026.
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The facility is located at Info Valley-II in Jatni, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, and covers 18.55 acres.
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It aims to strengthen digital infrastructure, cybersecurity, disaster recovery and business continuity.
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The foundation stone was laid on 22 March 2023 by then RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das.
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The centre will support currency management, payment and settlement systems, and regulatory functions.
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Key Fact: Location — Jatni, Odisha; primary purpose — strengthen the resilience of critical central banking operations.
Awards News
Assam Institutes Bhupen Hazarika National Award, Selects Usha Mangeshkar
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The Assam Cabinet approved the Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award on 23 October 2026.
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Veteran singer Usha Mangeshkar was selected as the award’s first recipient.
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The award recognises outstanding contributions to music, arts and cinema and carries ₹10 lakh and a citation.
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The inaugural presentation is scheduled for 29 November 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi.
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The Cabinet also increased the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Award’s prize money from ₹10 lakh to ₹15 lakh and finalised recipients for Assam’s 2025 civilian honours.
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Key Fact: Bhupen Hazarika National Award — conferred once every three years.
Lionel Messi Wins 2026 Princess of Asturias Sports Award
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Argentine footballer Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports in Oviedo, Spain, on 23 October 2026.
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He became the first footballer to receive the distinction individually.
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The jury recognised his football achievements, sportsmanship, teamwork and charitable contributions.
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His career achievements include winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, four UEFA Champions League titles and eight Ballon d’Or awards.
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Through the Leo Messi Foundation and his role as a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador since 2010, he supports children’s health and education.
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Key Fact: Award — Princess of Asturias Award for Sports 2026; recipient — Lionel Messi.
Ashoke Sen Becomes First Indian to Win Oskar Klein Medal
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Indian theoretical physicist Ashoke Sen received the 2026 Oskar Klein Medal, becoming the first Indian physicist to earn the honour.
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The award recognises his pioneering contributions to string theory.
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His research includes S-duality, black-hole entropy and string field theory.
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Sen serves as an ICTS-Infosys Madhava Chair Professor at the International Centre for Theoretical Sciences in Bengaluru.
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He delivered the 2026 Oskar Klein Memorial Lecture at Stockholm University on 22 October 2026.
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Key Fact: Other major honours received by Sen include the Padma Bhushan, Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize and Breakthrough Prize in Fundamental Physics.
Agreements News
C-DAC and Bank of India Partner on Quantum Banking Technologies
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The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Bank of India signed an MoU on 22 October 2026.
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The partnership aims to explore quantum technologies and emerging digital solutions for banking.
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Its objective is to develop a “Quantum Ecosystem for Financial Innovation” through research, pilot projects, demonstrations and capacity building.
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Focus areas include quantum-safe cryptography, artificial intelligence, blockchain and cybersecurity.
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The collaboration will test potential banking applications in secure environments and assess their feasibility.
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Key Fact: Main objective — develop indigenous technology and strengthen the resilience of India’s banking sector against future quantum-computing threats.
Defence News
India-Russia Naval Exercise INDRA 2026 Concludes in Vladivostok
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The India-Russia bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 concluded in Vladivostok, Russia.
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Indian Naval Ship INS Sahyadri departed the port on 20 October 2026 after the exercise.
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The Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy conducted harbour and sea phases to improve interoperability and operational coordination.
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Harbour activities included expert exchanges, cross-deck visits and cultural interactions.
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Sea drills involved coordinated manoeuvres, integrated communications, helicopter operations and medical evacuation exercises.
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Key Fact: Exercise — INDRA 2026; participating navies — Indian Navy and Russian Federation Navy.
Sports News
India Wins Record 114 Medals at Asian Para Games 2026
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India won a record 114 medals at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
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The medal tally comprised 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze medals.
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The performance surpassed India’s adjusted total of 108 medals at the 2023 Hangzhou edition.
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India achieved the result with 168 para-athletes, compared with 309 athletes in the previous edition.
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Indian athletes set world and Games records across disciplines, including para-athletics and para-shooting, and achieved historic milestones in women’s recurve doubles.
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Key Fact: Total medals — 114; breakdown — 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze.
ICC Confirms LA28 Olympic Cricket Qualifiers for January-February 2028
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The International Cricket Council (ICC) scheduled the men’s and women’s qualifying tournaments for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games for January–February 2028.
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Both qualifying competitions will feature eight teams competing for the final place in each six-team Olympic event.
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Qualification combines ICC rankings, continental representation, host-nation eligibility and a Caribbean regional pathway.
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Australia, India, South Africa and Great Britain have secured four direct places in the women’s competition.
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The United States must satisfy the top-15 ranking requirement during the specified eligibility period to secure its host-nation place.
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Key Fact: Olympic cricket format — six teams each in the men’s and women’s events, with one final place decided through qualification.
Pankaj Advani Wins 21st World Billiards Title in England
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Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won the 2026 WBL World Billiards Championship on 23 October 2026.
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He defeated England’s Robert Hall 1,906–1,206 in a five-hour final at Landywood Snooker Club in Great Wyrley, England.
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The victory marked his 21st world billiards title and 29th combined world title in billiards and snooker.
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Advani recovered from a deficit of more than 300 points and recorded a tournament-high break of 587 points.
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India’s Shruthi Lakshminarayanan retained the women’s world title, securing her third consecutive championship.
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Key Fact: Pankaj Advani’s combined world titles in billiards and snooker — 29.
Sumit Antil Defends Asian Para Games Javelin Gold with 72.46m
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Sumit Antil won gold in the men’s javelin throw at the Aichi-Nagoya 2026 Asian Para Games on 23 October.
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He defended his title with a throw of 72.46 metres in the combined F42–F44/F61–F64 event.
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Mahendra Gurjar won silver with 59.03 metres, while Sandip Sanjay Sargar claimed bronze with 64.48 metres.
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India achieved a podium sweep, with Gurjar and Sargar also setting Games records in their respective classifications.
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Antil is a two-time Paralympic gold medallist and holds the F64 world record of 74.82 metres, established in May 2026.
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Key Fact: Sumit Antil’s winning throw — 72.46 metres; F64 world record — 74.82 metres.
Bodhana Sivanandan Becomes Youngest Female International Master
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Bodhana Sivanandan, an 11-year-old British chess player of Indian origin, reportedly became the youngest female International Master on 23 October 2026.
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She secured her third and final International Master norm at the European Club Cup in Budva, Montenegro.
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She achieved the norm by defeating Swedish Woman International Master Viktoria Johansson in the final round.
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Sivanandan surpassed the previous record held by Hungarian chess player Judit Polgar, who achieved the title at age 12.
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The International Master title requires qualifying tournament performances and a standard rating of at least 2,400.
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Key Fact: Governing body — FIDE; International Master is an open title available to players of any gender.
S Meghana Announces Retirement from All Formats of Cricket
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Indian cricketer Sabbhineni Meghana, known as S Meghana, announced her retirement from all formats on 23 October 2026 at age 30.
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She represented India in 20 international white-ball matches, including three ODIs and 17 T20Is.
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Meghana made her T20I debut against the West Indies in November 2016 and her ODI debut against New Zealand in February 2022.
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She played in the Women’s Premier League for Gujarat Giants and Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
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She was part of RCB’s title-winning squad in 2024 and expressed plans to mentor emerging women cricketers.
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Key Fact: International career — 20 white-ball matches, comprising 3 ODIs and 17 T20Is.
Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy Win Gold at European Chess Club Cup
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Indian grandmasters Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy won individual gold medals at the 2026 European Chess Club Cup in Montenegro.
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Sarin, representing Novy Bor Chess Club, scored five points from six games to win gold on Board 2 in the open section.
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Pentala Harikrishna won silver on Board 3 with five points, while Karthikeyan Murali claimed bronze on Board 2 with 4.5 points.
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Humpy secured gold on Board 2 in the women’s section with 4.5 points from six games.
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Her club, Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo, also won the women’s team title.
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Key Fact: Indian medal winners included Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy, both gold medallists in their respective sections.
Important Days News
ITBP Raising Day 2026: History, Roles and Key Facts
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The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) Raising Day is observed annually on 24 October to mark the force’s establishment in 1962.
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The force operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
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It guards approximately 3,488 km of the India-China border, from the Karakoram Pass in Ladakh to Jachep La in Arunachal Pradesh.
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Its duties include high-altitude patrols, border surveillance, disaster rescue, mountaineering operations and designated internal security responsibilities.
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Some ITBP border posts are located above 18,000 feet, requiring operations in extreme Himalayan conditions.
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Key Fact: ITBP motto — “Shaurya–Dridhata–Karma Nishtha,” meaning valour, steadfastness and devotion to duty.
World Polio Day 2026 Highlights Global Efforts to Eradicate Poliovirus
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World Polio Day is observed annually on 24 October to raise awareness about poliomyelitis and promote vaccination.
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The 2026 theme is “Together, We End Polio.”
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Polio is a highly infectious viral disease that can cause irreversible paralysis, particularly in children under five.
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Afghanistan and Pakistan remain the two countries where wild poliovirus is endemic.
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India’s last reported wild poliovirus case occurred on 13 January 2011, and the WHO South-East Asia Region was certified polio-free on 27 March 2014.
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Key Fact: Global Polio Eradication Initiative — an international partnership coordinating polio prevention, vaccination and surveillance.
United Nations Day 2026 Marks 81 Years of Global Cooperation
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United Nations Day is observed annually on 24 October to commemorate the entry into force of the UN Charter in 1945.
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In 2026, the United Nations marks its 81st anniversary.
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The organisation promotes international peace, human rights, humanitarian assistance and sustainable development.
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The UN has 193 member states and six principal organs, including the General Assembly and Security Council.
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India was one of the 51 original founding members and supports reforms to the Security Council.
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Key Fact: UN headquarters — New York City, United States; founding year — 1945.
World Development Information Day 2026 Highlights Technology and Cooperation
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World Development Information Day is observed annually on 24 October to raise awareness of global development challenges.
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The United Nations General Assembly established the observance in 1972 through Resolution 3038 (XXVII).
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The date coincides with United Nations Day and the anniversary of the adoption of the International Development Strategy for the Second United Nations Development Decade in 1970.
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The observance highlights public awareness, science, technology and information and communications technology (ICT) as drivers of development.
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It promotes efforts to bridge the digital divide and advance the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
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Key Fact: Established — 1972; resolution — UN General Assembly Resolution 3038 (XXVII).
Global MIL Week 2026 Promotes Responsible Digital Information Use
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Global Media and Information Literacy (MIL) Week 2026 will be observed from 24 to 31 October.
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The theme is “We All Play a Part – Media and Information Literacy for the People.”
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UNESCO and its partners lead the campaign to promote critical thinking, reliable information and responsible digital participation.
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The observance highlights identifying misinformation, evaluating AI-generated content and addressing inequalities in digital access.
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Educators, journalists, policymakers, young people and communities are encouraged to strengthen information literacy and informed decision-making.
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Key Fact: UN General Assembly Resolution A/RES/75/267, adopted in 2021, recognised the importance of Media and Information Literacy Week.




