Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (1st October, 2026) |

National News

Cabinet Approves Green Energy Corridor Phase-III for Renewable Integration

The Union Cabinet approved Green Energy Corridor Phase-III (GEC-III) to strengthen India’s Intra-State Transmission System.
The scheme will facilitate evacuation of up to 135 GW of renewable energy across States and Union Territories.
It has a total outlay of ₹1,86,405 crore, including ₹1,36,378 crore for transmission infrastructure.
Another ₹50,000 crore will support deployment of 50 GWh Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS).
The scheme provides ₹54,082 crore Central Financial Support to offset transmission charges and reduce renewable-energy integration costs.
Key Fact: GEC-III is targeted for completion by FY 2032-33 and will support grid flexibility, renewable integration and peak-hour power requirements.

National Coastal Mission 2.0 Guidelines Launched to Strengthen Resilience

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the National Coastal Mission (NCM) 2.0 implementation guidelines in New Delhi.
The mission has an approved outlay of ₹767 crore and will continue until 2030-31.
It will be implemented across nine coastal States and four Union Territories.
NCM 2.0 focuses on coastal resilience, ecosystem restoration, pollution management and biodiversity conservation.
Other areas include sustainable tourism, spatial planning, research, capacity building and climate adaptation.
Key Fact: NCM 2.0 aims to strengthen India’s coastal regions while supporting the country’s Blue Economy.

UPSC Completes 100 Years, Marking Century of Public Service

The Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) completed 100 years on October 1, 2026.
India’s first Public Service Commission was established in 1926 under the Government of India Act, 1919.
Sir Ross Barker served as the first Chairman of the initial Public Service Commission.
The Federal Public Service Commission was established in 1937.
It became the UPSC on January 26, 1950, following the adoption of the Constitution.
Key Fact: UPSC is a constitutional body under Part XIV, Articles 315–323, conducting major examinations including Civil Services, Engineering Services and Defence Services.

People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27 to Begin with Special Gram Sabhas

The People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) 2026-27 will begin nationwide on October 2, 2026.
The campaign is themed “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”.
Special Gram Sabhas will initiate preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans for 2027-28.
The campaign promotes participatory, evidence-based and inclusive planning at the Panchayat level.
Citizens, elected representatives, Self-Help Groups and government departments participate in identifying local priorities and development gaps.
Key Fact: PPC has been implemented since 2018, with Panchayats using platforms such as eGramSwaraj for planning and monitoring.

State News

Delhi ITMS Project Approved to Transform Traffic Management

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Delhi’s Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) project.
The project has an estimated cost of ₹1,789.52 crore, including taxes.
Delhi Police will implement it across 42 identified traffic corridors in three phases over 24 months.
The system will use AI-based adaptive traffic signals, real-time incident detection and automated enforcement.
It will cover 1,092 Adaptive Traffic Control System locations and 1,029 enforcement locations.
Key Fact: The project will establish integrated Traffic Command and Control Centres, with C-DAC providing technical support.

Karnataka Notifies Textile and Apparel Policy 2026-31

Karnataka notified its Textile and Apparel Policy 2026-31 on September 30, 2026.
The policy has a financial outlay of ₹4,000 crore.
It targets ₹20,000 crore in domestic and foreign investment over five years.
The policy aims to generate five lakh textile-sector jobs.
34 focused taluks will receive additional incentives and concessions for eligible textile and apparel units.
Key Fact: For the first time, the policy includes silk yarn production, including silk reeling and spinning.

Elephant Festival Promotes Welfare and Conservation at Bandhavgarh

A five-day Elephant Festival and Rejuvenation Camp was held at Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh.
The programme took place from September 24 to 28, 2026, near Parasi Gate in the Dhamokhar buffer zone.
It provided working elephants with rest, health monitoring and nutritious food.
Nine of Bandhavgarh’s 15 elephants participated in the programme.
Young elephant Krishna, born at Bandhavgarh in October 2025, was among the main attractions.
Key Fact: Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve covers 1,536.93 sq km, including 716.90 sq km of core area and 820.03 sq km of buffer area.

International News

California Approves Total Ban on Child Marriage From 2027

California Governor Gavin Newsom approved Assembly Bill 1267 (AB 1267) on September 30, 2026.
The law establishes 18 years as the minimum age for marriage and domestic partnership without exceptions.
It repeals provisions that previously allowed minors to marry with parental consent or court approval.
The law will come into effect on January 1, 2027.
Around 35,000 minors were married in California between 2000 and 2021, according to the California Commission on the Status of Women and Girls.
Key Fact: California becomes the 18th US state to completely ban child marriage.

Switzerland’s Glaciers Record Unprecedented Ice Loss in 2026

Switzerland’s glaciers lost 5.5% of their total ice volume between the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The Aletsch Glacier, Switzerland’s largest glacier, recorded its biggest-ever melt.
The Rhône and Clariden glaciers also experienced record losses.
Average glacier thickness declined by 2.5 to 4 metres, while some glacier tongues lost up to 10 metres.
Nearly 20% of Switzerland’s glacier volume has disappeared over the past five years.
Key Fact: Glacier melting released around 2.2 trillion litres of water between May and September 2026.

Swiss President Guy Parmelin to Visit India in October 2026

Swiss President Guy Parmelin will visit India from October 5 to 7, 2026.
The visit will focus on trade, investment, science, technology, innovation, mobility and people-to-people ties.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Parmelin will hold bilateral talks on October 5.
Parmelin will participate in the 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit on October 7.
The visit marks one year of the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement (TEPA).
Key Fact: EFTA comprises Switzerland, Norway, Iceland and Liechtenstein, while TEPA targets USD 100 billion investment in India over 15 years.

US Launches FORTRESS America to Strengthen Military Resilience

The US Department of War launched FORTRESS America on September 30, 2026.
FORTRESS stands for Federal Operations for Resilience, Troop Resources, Energy, Supply, and Survivability.
The programme aims to protect military installations and defence operations from infrastructure disruptions.
Its five pillars include energy independence, supply-chain resilience, strategic reserves, installation hardening and cyber resilience.
It also focuses on domestic production of rare earth elements, specialty metals, semiconductors and propellants.
Key Fact: A dedicated FORTRESS America Program Office will coordinate implementation within the Department of War.

India, MERCOSUR Finalise Framework for Expanded Trade Agreement

India and MERCOSUR completed the Terms of Reference (ToR) for expanding their existing Preferential Trade Agreement.
The framework will support broader trade negotiations between India and the South American bloc.
The existing PTA provides preferential treatment on 452 tariff codes by MERCOSUR and 450 by India.
Tariff reductions under the existing agreement are 10%, 20% or 100%.
India-Brazil bilateral trade reached USD 15.07 billion in 2025-26.
Key Fact: India and Brazil aim to increase bilateral trade to USD 30 billion by 2030.

Banking News

Anup Kumar Saha Appointed Kotak Mahindra Bank MD and CEO

The Reserve Bank of India approved Anup Kumar Saha as MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank.
His three-year term will begin on January 1, 2027.
He will succeed Ashok Vaswani, whose tenure ends on December 31, 2026.
Saha currently serves as Whole-time Director (Executive Director) at Kotak Mahindra Bank.
He has more than 32 years of professional experience, including 25 years in banking and financial services.
Key Fact: Saha holds a B.Tech from IIT Kharagpur and an MBA from IIM Lucknow.

Bankers’ Books Evidence Act 2026 Comes Into Force October 1

The Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 2026 came into force on October 1, 2026.
It replaces the Bankers’ Books Evidence Act, 1891.
The new law recognises physical, electronic, digital, virtual and cloud-based banking records.
It establishes standardised certification and authentication procedures, including digital and electronic signatures.
Certified copies can generally be used as evidence without producing original banking records.
Key Fact: The Act applies to legal proceedings, trials, inquiries, arbitrations and investigations.

Economy News

India Manufacturing PMI Rises to Seven-Month High in September

India’s manufacturing sector strengthened in September 2026, with the HSBC India Manufacturing PMI rising to 55.1.
The PMI increased from 52.8 in August, indicating continued expansion in factory activity.
The September reading marked the strongest improvement in manufacturing conditions in seven months.
Growth was supported by stronger domestic and export demand, new orders and higher output.
Export demand increased from markets including Brazil, Europe, the UAE and the United States.
Key Fact: Factory employment growth resumed at its strongest pace since May 2026.

Appointments News

Narendra Bhooshan Takes Charge as Environment Ministry Secretary

Narendra Bhooshan, a 1992-batch IAS officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre, took charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
He previously served as Secretary of the Department of Land Resources under the Ministry of Rural Development.
Bhooshan has more than three decades of administrative experience at the Central and Uttar Pradesh levels.
His experience covers energy, infrastructure, agriculture, industry, finance and land resources.
He has served as Additional Chief Secretary of Energy in Uttar Pradesh and held several other senior administrative positions.
Key Fact: Bhooshan has also held Central Government positions in UIDAI, agriculture and ITPO.

Defense News

ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise 2026 Begins in Philippines

The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) began at Subic Bay, Philippines, on September 28, 2026.
Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish are participating in the exercise.
The exercise is being conducted under the theme “Anchored in Trust, United at Sea.”
Its Harbour Phase includes expert exchanges, operational synchronisation, sporting and cultural activities and community engagement.
The subsequent Sea Phase will feature coordinated maritime operations to strengthen interoperability and operational coordination.
Key Fact: AIME-2026 supports India’s Act East Policy and MAHASAGAR vision.

Science & Technology News

SatLeo Labs to Launch TAPAS-1 Thermal Imaging Payload

Ahmedabad-based spacetech startup SatLeo Labs is set to launch TAPAS-1 on October 1, 2026.
The payload will fly aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 under the Transporter-18 rideshare programme.
It will use Dhruva Space’s LEAP-2 platform and launch from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
TAPAS-1 stands for Thermal Access Platform for Analytics & Solutions and is a CubeSat-category thermal-imaging payload.
It is designed to collect land-surface temperature data for crop-stress monitoring, urban heat mapping, wildfire detection and climate monitoring.
Key Fact: SatLeo Labs describes TAPAS-1 as India’s first dedicated commercial thermal payload.

Sports News

Shubman Gill Hits Fastest ODI Double Century: 223 Runs Off 133 Balls Against West Indies

Shubman Gill scored the fastest double century in men’s ODI cricket against the West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, 2026.
He reached 200 runs in 117 balls, surpassing Ishan Kishan’s previous record of 126 balls.
Gill finished with 223 runs off 133 balls, including 26 fours and eight sixes.
He also scored a century in 62 balls, setting the fastest ODI century by an Indian captain.
Gill and Rohit Sharma shared a 255-run opening partnership as India chased 406 in 43.3 overs.
Key Fact: Gill became the second batter to score an ODI double century while chasing.

Manu Francis and Prince Noble Win Sailing Silver at Asian Games

Manu Francis and Prince Noble won silver in the men’s 49er skiff event at the 2026 Asian Games.
The medal gave India its first sailing medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
The Indian duo completed nine races with 23 points, finishing behind China, while Hong Kong won bronze.
Both athletes are relatives and childhood friends from Kerala.
They trained at the National Sailing School in Bhopal, Muziris Yachting Club and Army Yachting Node.
Key Fact: Their silver took India’s medal tally to 62 medals — 10 gold, 22 silver and 30 bronze at the time of reporting.

Rohit Sharma Reaches 12,000 ODI Runs During Guwahati Record

Rohit Sharma reached 12,000 ODI runs during India’s second ODI against West Indies in Guwahati on September 30, 2026.
He became the third Indian after Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli to reach the milestone.
Rohit achieved the mark in 282 innings, becoming the second-fastest batter to 12,000 ODI runs.
He later scored 101 runs off 75 balls, recording his 35th ODI century.
Rohit and Shubman Gill shared a record 255-run opening partnership during India’s chase.
Key Fact: Rohit became the first batter to hit 200 ODI sixes in a single country.

India Wins Women’s Squash Team Bronze at Asian Games 2026

India won the women’s team squash bronze medal at the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.
India lost the semifinal 1-2 to Hong Kong China.
Anahat Singh lost 2-3 to Sin Yuk Chan after failing to convert four match points.
Tanvi Khanna defeated Ka Yi Lee 3-1 to level the tie at 1-1.
In the deciding rubber, veteran Joshna Chinappa lost 0-3 to Ho Tze Lok.
Key Fact: India’s squash medal tally also included singles silver medals for Anahat Singh and Abhay Singh, plus a mixed doubles bronze for Joshna Chinappa and Velavan Senthilkumar.