Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (19th October, 2026)

National News

PM-VBRY Offers Up to ₹15,000 Incentive to First-Time Employees

The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana (PM-VBRY) promotes formal employment and expands social security coverage in India.
The scheme is administered through the Employees’ Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO).
Eligible first-time employees can receive an incentive of up to ₹15,000.
Applicants must fulfil eligibility conditions related to previous EPF membership, joining dates, monthly gross salary and Aadhaar-linked bank accounts.
The incentive is paid in two instalments, subject to prescribed service requirements.
The second instalment requires 12 months of continuous service and completion of a financial literacy course. Eligible employers also receive incentives for creating additional formal jobs.

Global Hunger Index 2026 Ranks India 100th Among 122 Countries

India ranked 100th among 122 countries in the Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026.
India recorded a score of 24.1, placing it in the serious hunger category.
Pakistan ranked 106th with a score of 25.5.
The report was published under the theme “No Security Without Food Security”.
India’s child stunting rate stood at 29.3%, while child wasting remained a major concern.
The global hunger score was 18.1, indicating moderate hunger worldwide. Conflict, climate shocks and rising food prices continue to hinder progress towards the Sustainable Development Goal of Zero Hunger by 2030.

State News

Telangana Celebrates Saddula Bathukamma, Concluding Nine-Day Floral Festival

Telangana celebrated Saddula Bathukamma on 18 October 2026, marking the conclusion of its nine-day floral festival.
Thousands of women gathered at Hyderabad’s Tank Bund near Hussain Sagar Lake.
The celebrations featured traditional songs, cultural performances, processions and floral immersion rituals.
Bathukamma is celebrated during the Hindu month of Ashwayuja and reflects Telangana’s cultural identity.
Women prepare colourful, layered floral arrangements using locally available flowers, including Tangedu and Gunuka.
The festival highlights the connection between nature, seasonal flower traditions, community participation and Telangana’s cultural heritage.

Delhi Establishes DITI to Advance Vision Delhi 2047 Development Strategy

The Delhi government established the Delhi Institute for Transformation and Innovation (DITI) as its premier policy advisory body.
Modelled on NITI Aayog, DITI replaces the Dialogue and Development Commission.
Its objective is to support the vision of “Viksit Dilli by 2047”.
DITI will prepare long-term development frameworks, evaluate government programmes and improve coordination among departments.
The Chief Minister of Delhi will chair its Governing Board, while the Chief Secretary will head the Executive Committee.
DITI will help prepare Vision Delhi 2047, focusing on inclusive, sustainable and globally competitive urban development.

Dhal Singh Bisen Takes Oath as Uttarakhand Governor in Dehradun

Dhal Singh Bisen took oath as Uttarakhand Governor on 19 October 2026 at Lok Bhavan in Dehradun.
Acting Chief Justice Manoj Kumar Tiwari of the Uttarakhand High Court administered the oath.
The oath was administered under Article 159 of the Indian Constitution.
Bisen succeeded Lieutenant General Gurmit Singh (Retd.), who served as Governor for more than five years.
President Droupadi Murmu announced Bisen’s appointment on 12 October 2026.
Bisen is a four-time Madhya Pradesh MLA and former Cabinet Minister. Article 155 concerns the appointment of Governors, while Article 156 governs their tenure.

International News

Rajnath Singh to Represent India at 25th SCO Government Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh was scheduled to represent India at the 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
The meeting was scheduled for 19–20 October 2026 in Dushanbe, Tajikistan.
Discussions were expected to cover trade, investment, connectivity, innovation and cultural exchanges.
The meeting would also review ongoing initiatives and the organisation’s financial and institutional functioning.
India was expected to highlight cooperation in start-ups, digital public infrastructure and people-to-people exchanges.
Established on 15 June 2001, the SCO promotes regional cooperation in security, economic development, science, technology and culture.

Delhi Approves Go-Delhi Foundation with ₹50 Crore Initial Budget

The Delhi Cabinet approved the Go-Delhi Foundation on 18 October 2026 with an initial budget of ₹50 crore.
The foundation aims to strengthen Delhi’s start-up and innovation ecosystem.
It will operate as a not-for-profit company under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, under the Department of Industries.
It will connect entrepreneurs with laboratories, prototyping facilities, incubation, mentorship, investors and intellectual property support.
Its hub-and-spoke model will use existing institutions and partner facilities.
The foundation will facilitate pilot projects for government departments and complement Delhi’s ₹400-crore Start-up and Incubation Policy.

North Korea Claims Successful Test of AI-Guided Zam-2.0 Torpedo

North Korea claimed to have successfully tested the Zam-2.0 torpedo on 15 October 2026.
The weapon was reportedly equipped with artificial intelligence (AI) for target detection and guidance.
According to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA), the test assessed the torpedo’s propulsion system.
Pyongyang stated that more than 180 related tests had been conducted over five years.
The announcement followed reports of submarine-launched cruise missile tests and hypersonic missile demonstrations.
North Korea has not disclosed detailed technical specifications, and independent verification of the test results remains unavailable.

Pakistan Named Incoming Chair of IMF and World Bank Boards for 2027

Pakistan was reportedly designated incoming Chair of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group (WBG) and International Monetary Fund (IMF) for 2027.
The announcement was reported on 16 October 2026 during the institutions’ Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
Pakistan’s Minister for Economic Affairs, Ahad Khan Cheema, was named incoming chair.
According to the report, Pakistan would assume the position for the first time since 1953.
The chairmanship facilitates discussions among member countries but does not provide additional voting power or independent control over lending decisions.
Established following the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, the IMF promotes monetary stability, while the World Bank Group focuses on development and poverty reduction.

Banking News

Kaizad Bharucha to Leave HDFC Bank After Three Decades

Kaizad Bharucha, Deputy Managing Director of HDFC Bank, is scheduled to leave the bank on 31 December 2026, subject to RBI approval.
He joined HDFC Bank in October 1995.
He became a whole-time director in June 2014 and Deputy Managing Director in April 2023.
Bharucha contributed to the development of the bank’s credit architecture, corporate lending and wholesale banking operations.
The bank’s board had recommended him for the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer position.
The RBI approved Anup Bagchi for a three-year MD and CEO term beginning 27 October 2026.

Awards News

Sangeet Natak Akademi Selects 106 Young Artists for Yuva Puraskar

The Sangeet Natak Akademi selected 106 young artists for the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar for 2024 and 2025.
The selections were made by its General Council during a meeting in New Delhi from 22–26 March 2026.
The awards recognise emerging talent in music, dance, theatre, folk and traditional arts, puppetry and related performing arts.
The award ceremony was scheduled for 19 October 2026 at Meghdoot Complex, Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi.
Instituted in 2006, the award honours outstanding young practitioners of performing arts.
Each recipient receives ₹25,000, a Tamrapatra and an Angavastram. The Akademi operates under the Ministry of Culture.

Defense News

DRDO Develops Lightweight Armour for Future Indian Army Combat Vehicles

The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) developed indigenous armour panels that are 20% lighter than existing systems.
The panels were developed by the Research and Development Establishment (Engineers), Pune.
They are designed to withstand 30 mm armour-piercing ammunition.
The armour meets the STANAG 4569 Level 6 protection standard.
The technology has completed in-house testing and has been offered for transfer to industry.
The panels are intended for main battle tanks, light tanks and Future Infantry Combat Vehicles, supporting domestic defence manufacturing and technological self-reliance.

Indian Army Conducts Akhand Prahar-II Exercise in Jaisalmer

The Indian Army conducted Exercise Akhand Prahar-II in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, around 18 October 2026.
The exercise assessed combat readiness and operational coordination.
The participating formations included the Black Mace Brigade and Battle Axe Division.
The drills focused on integrating modern military technology with conventional combat capabilities.
The exercise tested rapid and precise responses in a multidimensional operational environment.
Lieutenant General AVS Rathi, General Officer Commanding of the Konark Corps, commended the participating formations. Jaisalmer’s desert terrain provides suitable conditions for military training in India’s western sector.

Science & Technology News

NASA’s PUFFINS Mission Studies Cosmic Dust to Explore Origins of Life

NASA selected Indian-origin scientist Dr Ramya Manjunath Anche of the University of Arizona’s Steward Observatory to lead the PUFFINS mission.
The mission will study tiny interstellar dust grains.
It received $20 million in funding under NASA’s Astrophysics Pioneers programme.
The mission is targeted for launch in 2030.
A small satellite will use ultraviolet polarimetry to observe light from around 70 stars.
The findings could improve understanding of dust composition, star and planet formation, planetary systems and the search for life beyond Earth.

Sports News

Mona Agarwal Wins Gold as India Opens Para Asian Games Medal Account

India opened its medal account at the 2026 Para Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a one-two finish in women’s 10m air rifle.
Mona Agarwal won gold with 250 points.
Mona set a new Asian Para Games final record.
Avani Lekhara won silver with 249.6 points.
Mona also established a qualification record with 629.1 points.
Avani’s performance secured a quota place for India at the Los Angeles 2028 Paralympic Games.

Sheetal Devi Equals World Record with 704 Points in Para-Archery

Indian para-archer Sheetal Devi scored 704 out of 720 points in the women’s compound qualification round at the 2026 Para Asian Games.
Her score equalled the world record.
She established a new Asian record, surpassing the previous mark of 698 points by six points.
Indian archer Payal Nag scored 675 points and finished joint fifth in the qualification standings.
Both Indian athletes advanced towards the elimination rounds.
Sheetal’s international achievements include medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympics.

Amruta Pujari Wins Silver at U-23 World Wrestling Championships 2026

Indian wrestler Amruta Pujari won silver in the women’s 72 kg category at the 2026 U-23 World Wrestling Championships in Las Vegas, United States.
She reached the final after securing two consecutive victories by pinfall.
Pujari lost the gold-medal bout to Ukraine’s Iryna Zablotska, who won while leading 6–0.
India finished the championships with three medals: two silver and one bronze.
Vishvajit More won silver in the men’s Greco-Roman 55 kg category, becoming the first Indian wrestler to reach a final and win silver in this discipline at the U-23 World Championships.
Komal secured bronze in the women’s 59 kg category.

Obituaries News

Fisheries Scientist B. Madhusoodana Kurup Dies at 71 in Kochi

Indian fisheries scientist B. Madhusoodana Kurup died in Kochi, Kerala, on 18 October 2026, aged 71.
He was the founding Vice-Chancellor of the Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (KUFOS), India’s first university dedicated to fisheries and ocean studies.
His contributions included freshwater fish research in the Western Ghats, aquaculture development and fisheries education.
He served for over 18 years as Director and Professor at CUSAT’s School of Industrial Fisheries.
Kurup guided 22 doctoral scholars and published more than 250 research papers.
He also edited 11 books and held academic leadership positions at several institutions.