Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (13th October, 2026) |

National News

1. President Droupadi Murmu Announces Governor Reshuffle Across Six States

President Droupadi Murmu announced a reshuffle involving six state governors on October 12, 2026.
Braj Mohan Ram was appointed Governor of Odisha, Dr Sudha Yadav of Karnataka, Dr Dhal Singh Bisen of Uttarakhand and Dushyant Gautam of Sikkim.
Om Prakash Mathur was transferred from Sikkim to Kerala, while Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu.
The appointments will take effect when the respective individuals assume charge.
The reshuffle covers appointments and transfers across six states.
Key Fact: Article 155 of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of state governors by the President.

2. International Big Cat Alliance Opens New Headquarters in New Delhi

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) headquarters at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi, on October 12, 2026.
IBCA is a treaty-based intergovernmental organisation promoting international cooperation for big-cat conservation.
It focuses on seven species: tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar and puma.
The Union Cabinet approved its establishment on February 29, 2024, with ₹150 crore in budgetary support over five years.
The funding period covers 2023–24 to 2027–28, and the government reported 29 member countries, including India.
Key Fact: IBCA aims to strengthen habitat protection, scientific research and global cooperation for seven big-cat species.

3. PM GatiShakti Completes Five Years of Integrated Infrastructure Planning

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years on October 13, 2026, following its launch in 2021.
Its GIS-based digital platform integrates infrastructure data from 58 Central Ministries and Departments and all 36 States and Union Territories.
The initiative coordinates seven infrastructure engines: roads, railways, ports, waterways, airports, mass transport and logistics infrastructure.
The platform contained more than 23,493 data layers as of October 12, 2026.
The Network Planning Group had evaluated 396 projects worth approximately ₹18.66 lakh crore by August 11, 2026.
Key Fact: PM GatiShakti promotes multimodal connectivity and aims to reduce infrastructure project delays and logistics costs.

4. Lakshadweep Declared India’s First 100% Literate Union Territory

Lakshadweep was declared a 100% literate Union Territory on October 11, 2026, under the ULLAS–Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.
Administrator Praful Patel announced the achievement after all eligible learners cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT).
An initial survey identified 1,113 adult non-literate learners across the islands.
The Department of Education conducted special teaching programmes, home-based assessments and follow-up tests.
ULLAS promotes adult education through foundational literacy, numeracy, critical life skills, vocational skills and continuing education.
Key Fact: ULLAS stands for Understanding of Lifelong Learning for All in Society.

State News

5. National SARAS Mela 2026 to Promote Rural Women Entrepreneurs

The first National SARAS Mela 2026 is scheduled from October 13 to 31 at Punnami Ghat, Vijayawada, Andhra Pradesh.
The 19-day event is jointly organised by the Union Ministry of Rural Development and Andhra Pradesh’s Society for Elimination of Rural Poverty.
More than 1,500 women entrepreneurs from Self-Help Groups across over 30 States and Union Territories are expected to participate.
The event will feature more than 600 stalls showcasing rural products and local enterprises.
President Droupadi Murmu is scheduled to inaugurate the mela on October 15.
Key Fact: The initiative supports DAY-NRLM and the target of creating six crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029.

International News

6. India Hosts First BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi

India is hosting the first-ever BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026.
Union Home Minister Amit Shah described the meeting as a major step towards regional security cooperation.
Discussions cover terrorism, transnational organised crime, narcotics, human trafficking, radicalisation, illicit financial flows and cybercrime.
BIMSTEC was established on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.
Its seven members are Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand.
Key Fact: BIMSTEC stands for Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation.

7. India and UK Inaugurate Genomics Centre to Advance Biomedical Research

India and the United Kingdom inaugurated the BRIC-CDFD–ONT India Genomics Centre of Excellence in New Delhi on October 12, 2026.
The inauguration took place during the eighth India–UK Science and Innovation Council meeting.
Dr Jitendra Singh and UK Secretary of State Jonathan Reynolds jointly inaugurated the centre.
The centre brings together the Centre for DNA Fingerprinting and Diagnostics (CDFD) and Oxford Nanopore Technologies.
Its research priorities include rare diseases, cancer, infectious-disease surveillance, newborn screening and oral cancer.
Key Fact: The centre aims to advance genomic research and translate scientific innovations into practical applications.

8. Bangladesh Secures $335.78 Million Chinese Loan to Modernise Mongla Port

Bangladesh signed a $335.78 million concessional loan agreement with China on October 10, 2026.
The loan will finance the expansion and modernisation of Mongla Port, Bangladesh’s second-largest seaport after Chattogram.
The agreement was signed through Bangladesh’s Economic Relations Division and China’s Export-Import Bank.
The financing carries a 2% interest rate, a 20-year repayment period and a five-year grace period.
The project includes two container terminals and dedicated cargo-handling yards to improve trade and maritime logistics.
Key Fact: Mongla Port is located on the Pasur River in southwestern Bangladesh, approximately 80 kilometres from the Indian border.

Banking News

9. NPCI Defers Proposed UPI MDR Charges Until After Diwali

The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) postponed the proposed implementation of Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) charges on selected UPI transactions.
The proposed rate is 0.4% for eligible merchant transactions exceeding ₹2,000.
The charges were originally scheduled to be introduced on October 15, 2026.
NPCI deferred implementation until after Diwali, with the revised date to be announced separately.
The decision followed concerns raised by traders and consideration of increased festive-season business activity.
Key Fact: The postponement delays the proposed charges rather than cancelling the framework.

Economy News

10. IMF Raises India’s FY27 Economic Growth Forecast to 7%

The International Monetary Fund raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2026–27 from 6.4% to 7%.
The upward revision amounts to 60 basis points in the IMF’s latest World Economic Outlook.
The IMF cited resilient domestic demand, strong services activity, favourable demographics and structural reforms.
The supplied report states that the RBI, World Bank and OECD projected India’s growth at 7.1%.
The IMF projected global GDP growth of 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027.
Key Fact: The IMF’s revised India growth forecast for FY 2026–27 is 7%.

11. India’s Retail Inflation Rises to 5.54% in September 2026

India’s retail inflation rose to 5.54% in September 2026, compared with 4.83% in August.
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the data on October 12.
Food inflation increased to 7.74%, driven by rising prices of onion, garlic and other food items.
Rural inflation reached 6.08%, while urban inflation stood at 4.88%.
Onion inflation surged to 108.09% year-on-year, according to the supplied report.
Key Fact: India’s retail inflation target is 4%, with a tolerance band of 2–6%.

Defense News

12. Indian Coast Guard Team Scales Mount Mukut Ahead of Everest Expedition

A 17-member Indian Coast Guard mountaineering team successfully scaled Mount Mukut on October 7, 2026.
The mountain stands at an elevation of 7,045 metres.
The expedition began on September 15, with Base Camp-I established on October 1.
The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute (HMI), Darjeeling, guided the expedition.
The climb formed Phase V of an 18-month training programme preparing the team for a planned Mount Everest expedition in 2027.
Key Fact: Mount Everest is the planned objective of the team’s 2027 expedition.

13. IBSAMAR IX Begins in South Africa with INS Tarkash Participation

The ninth India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise (IBSAMAR IX) began on October 12, 2026, at Simon’s Town, South Africa.
The Indian Navy’s guided-missile stealth frigate INS Tarkash arrived on October 11 to participate.
Brazil deployed BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter, while South Africa contributed multiple naval vessels and submarine SAS Manthatisi.
The exercise includes surface warfare, anti-air warfare, anti-submarine warfare, maritime interdiction and anti-piracy operations.
Search and rescue, damage control and coordinated naval operations are also part of the drills.
Key Fact: IBSAMAR strengthens maritime and defence cooperation among India, Brazil and South Africa, the three IBSA Dialogue Forum members.

14. Indian Navy Commissions INS Mangrol to Strengthen Coastal Security

The Indian Navy commissioned INS Mangrol (P82) at the Naval Dockyard in Mumbai on October 12, 2026.
It is the third Mahe-class Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
Cochin Shipyard Limited built the vessel indigenously in Kochi with more than 80% indigenous content.
Its roles include coastal surveillance, underwater-threat detection, anti-submarine warfare and low-intensity maritime operations.
Three diesel engine-driven waterjet propulsion units provide manoeuvrability in shallow waters.
Key Fact: INS Mangrol supports the Aatmanirbhar Bharat and Make in India initiatives.

15. Indian Army Launches Bharat Rice Initiative to Improve Troop Rations

The Indian Army launched the Bharat Rice initiative in New Delhi on October 12, 2026.
The initiative aims to improve the quality and delivery of rice supplied to military personnel during FY 2026–27.
The Directorate General of Supplies and Transport is spearheading the initiative, with NAFED handling rice supply.
Rice will undergo quality checks and be packed in 10 kg and 30 kg bags.
Supplies will be delivered directly to Army Supply Depots, including depots in Ladakh and the Northeast.
Key Fact: The Army also signed a five-year MoU with the Food Corporation of India for logistical support during operational contingencies.

Schemes News

16. PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana Completes First Year of Implementation

The Prime Minister Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year on October 11, 2026.
Launched in 2025, the scheme targets 100 districts with low agricultural productivity, cropping intensity and institutional agricultural credit.
It integrates 36 Central schemes across 11 ministries and departments, alongside relevant state programmes.
Its objectives include improving productivity, crop diversification, post-harvest storage, irrigation and agricultural credit.
The scheme monitors progress through 121 indicators on a dedicated dashboard.
Key Fact: Gaya in Bihar, Nagaur in Rajasthan and Umaria in Madhya Pradesh were recognised among the top-performing districts.

Sports News

17. Shafali Verma Wins ICC Women’s Player of the Month Award

Indian opening batter and all-rounder Shafali Verma was named ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September 2026.
She scored 360 runs in seven T20 internationals at an average of 72 and a strike rate of 184.61.
She also claimed six wickets during the month.
Her performances helped India win the Women’s Asia Cup in the UAE and women’s cricket gold at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan.
She scored 236 runs in five Asia Cup innings, including 68 in the final, and reportedly scored a century against Bangladesh at the Asian Games.
Key Fact: This was Shafali Verma’s second monthly award, following her November 2025 victory.

18. Shubman Gill Wins Fifth ICC Player of the Month Award

Indian captain Shubman Gill won his fifth ICC Player of the Month award, according to the supplied report.
The recognition followed his impressive ODI performances against the West Indies.
Gill reportedly scored 110 runs in the first ODI in Thiruvananthapuram, helping India win by eight wickets.
He subsequently scored 223 runs off 133 balls during a successful chase of 406.
The report stated that Gill equalled West Indies women’s captain Hayley Matthews’ overall tally of five monthly awards.
Key Fact: According to the supplied report, Gill has won the ICC Player of the Month award five times.

Important Days News

19. International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 Highlights Home Resilience

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed annually on October 13.
The 2026 theme is “Resilience Starts at Home.”
The theme highlights the importance of safe, affordable and hazard-resistant housing.
The United Nations established the observance in 1989 to promote global awareness of disaster risk reduction.
The day encourages stronger building standards, effective early-warning systems and measures to reduce disaster exposure.
Key Fact: The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction covers the period 2015–2030.

Obituaries News

20. RJ Mitte, Breaking Bad Actor and Disability Advocate, Dies at 34

American actor RJ Mitte was reported to have died on October 12, 2026, at the age of 34; the claim requires authoritative confirmation.
His full name was Roy Frank Mitte III, and he was born on August 21, 1992, in Jackson, Mississippi.
He was best known for portraying Walter “Flynn” White Jr. in the television drama Breaking Bad from 2008 to 2013.
Mitte lived with cerebral palsy and advocated for disability inclusion and authentic representation in entertainment.
His other screen credits included Hannah Montana, Switched at Birth, Dixieland, The Recall and Triumph.
Key Fact: RJ Mitte played Walter White Jr. in Breaking Bad.