Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (2nd October, 2026) |

National News

APEDA Facilitates Bihar Makhana Export to Greece Through Mundra

APEDA facilitated the export of 1 metric tonne of popped Makhana from Purnea, Bihar, to Greece on October 2, 2026.
The consignment was sourced by Indo Global Export, Belouri, Purnea.
It is being shipped through Mundra Port to Piraeus Port in Greece.
Bihar accounts for around 80–85% of India’s Makhana production, with cultivation across more than 35,000 hectares.
India exported over 7,000 MT of Makhana and value-added products worth US$22 million to more than 20 destinations in FY 2025–26.
Key Fact: APEDA operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

First Tigress Released in Buxa Tiger Reserve for Recovery

A tigress was released in Buxa Tiger Reserve, West Bengal, on October 2, 2026.
The release marked the beginning of a phased Tiger Reintroduction Programme.
The tigress was translocated from Valmiki Tiger Reserve, Bihar, after ecological and veterinary assessments.
The programme focuses on habitat restoration, prey augmentation, protection and scientific monitoring.
More than 800 chital have been released and around 380 hectares of grassland restored.
Key Fact: The programme has been supported by the West Bengal Government, NTCA and Wildlife Institute of India since 2018.

State News

India Identifies 28 Geographical Features Across Ladakh

The Government of India identified 28 geographical features across Ladakh for standard representation on Survey of India maps.
The identified features include 10 peaks, three mountains, two passes and two glaciers.
Other features include land areas, valleys, a lake, river and water body.
Notable names include Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak and Karun Pir.
The initiative aims to ensure consistent geographical references and improve awareness of Ladakh’s locations.
Key Fact: Survey of India is India’s national mapping agency under the Department of Science and Technology.

Tamil Nadu Expands Vettri Payanam Free Bus Travel Scheme Statewide

Tamil Nadu expanded the Vettri Payanam free bus travel scheme on October 2, 2026.
The scheme provides free travel to women and transgender persons on additional government bus services.
A total of 12,692 buses, around 69% of the scheduled fleet, are covered.
These buses account for nearly 85% of scheduled single trips.
Around 84.32 lakh women are expected to benefit daily, with no income ceiling or journey limit.
Key Fact: The scheme has an estimated annual expenditure of approximately ₹6,000 crore.

Banking News

HDFC Bank Appoints Anup Bagchi as New Managing Director CEO

HDFC Bank appointed Anup Bagchi as its Managing Director and CEO for a three-year term.
His tenure will begin on October 27, 2026, following RBI approval.
Bagchi will succeed Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose tenure ends on October 26, 2026.
His appointment is subject to shareholder approval and will run until October 26, 2029.
Bagchi has more than three decades of experience in banking, capital markets, wealth management and insurance.
Key Fact: Bagchi has been associated with the ICICI Group since 1992.

Awards News

Gujarat Announces Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for Smit Machchhar

Gujarat Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel announced the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award for Flydubai Captain Smit Machchhar.
The award recognises his actions during the FZ1073 flight emergency.
Machchhar was reportedly injured during an altercation involving the co-pilot inside the cockpit.
Despite his injuries, he helped bring the aircraft under control and land safely in Saudi Arabia.
The Gujarat government also reportedly announced a ₹25 lakh reward for him.
Key Fact: Machchhar’s family has roots in Rajkot district, Gujarat.

Appointments News

Bimal N. Patel Sworn In as ITLOS Judge for Nine-Year Term

Indian jurist and academic Bimal N. Patel was sworn in as an ITLOS Judge on October 1, 2026.
The oath-taking ceremony was held in Hamburg, Germany.
Patel was elected at the 36th Meeting of States Parties to UNCLOS.
He will serve a nine-year term and succeeds Neeru Chadha in India’s representation.
ITLOS is an independent judicial body established under the 1982 UNCLOS and has 21 judges.
Key Fact: Patel has been a member of the UN International Law Commission since 2023.

Defense News

India Expands Akash Air Defence System Exports to Central Asia

India has exported its indigenous Akash air defence system to Tajikistan and Turkmenistan.
Akash was developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).
It is a short- to medium-range surface-to-air missile system designed to counter aerial threats.
Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) handles missile production, while BEL supplies key electronic systems.
Armenia was the first foreign customer for the Akash system.
Key Fact: Akash can counter aircraft, cruise missiles, guided munitions and UAVs.

Science & Technology News

SpaceX Transporter-18 Mission Deploys 130 Payloads into LEO

SpaceX launched the Transporter-18 rideshare mission on October 1, 2026.
The mission used a Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California.
It deployed 130 payloads into low Earth orbit for commercial, government and research customers.
The Falcon 9 first-stage booster completed its 25th flight and landed at Landing Zone 4.
Notable payloads included a Google AI satellite linked to Project Suncatcher and Starfish Space’s Otter servicing vehicle.
Key Fact: The booster landed approximately 7.5 minutes after liftoff.

Sports News

Sujeet Kalkal Ends India’s Wrestling Gold Wait in Asian Games

Sujeet Kalkal won India’s first wrestling gold medal at the Asian Games 2026.
He defeated Tajikistan’s Abdulmazhid Kudiyev 10-9 in the men’s freestyle 65kg final.
Kalkal trailed 2-9 before scoring eight consecutive points for a comeback victory.
Earlier, he defeated Afghanistan’s Sayed Omar Zazai and Iran’s Abbas Ebrahimzadehsavadkouhi.
He defeated Japan’s Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka 3-3 on criteria in the semifinal.
Key Fact: The 23-year-old won his maiden Asian Games gold medal.

Parveen Hooda Wins Asian Games 2026 Boxing Gold Medal

Parveen Hooda won the women’s 65kg boxing gold medal at the Asian Games 2026.
She defeated Chinese Taipei’s Nien-chin Che in the final.
Parveen won the first round 5-0 but lost the second round 0-5.
She secured the decisive third round 3-2 to claim victory.
She became the third Indian woman boxer to win Asian Games gold.
Key Fact: She previously won gold at the 2025 World Cup and 2022 Asian Championships.

ICC Cricket World Cup 2027 to Feature 14 Teams and 57 Matches

The ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup 2027 will be held from October 2 to November 21, 2027.
South Africa, Zimbabwe and Namibia will jointly host the tournament.
The competition will feature 14 teams, 57 matches and 12 venues.
It will begin with a three-team Super Series in Windhoek from October 2 to 6.
India will face Australia on October 7 and Pakistan on October 10.
Key Fact: The final is scheduled to be played in Johannesburg on November 21, 2027.

India Wins Historic Women’s Recurve Archery Gold at Asian Games

India won its first Asian Games gold medal in the women’s recurve team event.
Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Anil Mohod defeated South Korea 5-3 in the final.
India gained an advantage in the third set by scoring 55 points against 52.
The fourth set ended 54-54 after a score adjustment involving Kirti Sharma’s arrow.
India had defeated China 5-1 in the semifinal.
Key Fact: The victory marked India’s maiden women’s recurve team gold at the Asian Games.

Lovlina Borgohain Wins Asian Games Boxing Gold on Birthday

Lovlina Borgohain won the women’s 75kg boxing gold medal at Aichi-Nagoya 2026.
She defeated China’s Bao Ziyi 5-0 in the final on October 2, 2026.
The victory came on her 29th birthday.
She became the second Indian woman boxer to win Asian Games gold after MC Mary Kom.
Lovlina had previously won silver at the 2022 Hangzhou Asian Games.
Key Fact: She is a Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medallist and 2023 World Champion.

Nethra Kumanan Secures Historic Sailing Bronze at Asian Games 2026

Indian sailor Nethra Kumanan won bronze in the women’s dinghy event at Asian Games 2026.
The Chennai-based sailor finished third with 14 points.
Thailand’s Sophia Montgomery won gold, while Singapore’s Jania Ang secured silver.
Kumanan finished level on points with Hong Kong’s Stephanie Louise Norton.
She secured bronze through the head-to-head tie-break.
Key Fact: It was Kumanan’s first Asian Games medal in her fourth appearance.

Important Days News

Gandhi Jayanti 2026 Marks Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th Birth Anniversary

Gandhi Jayanti was observed on October 2, 2026, marking Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary.
Gandhi was born on October 2, 1869, in Porbandar, Gujarat.
The day commemorates his contribution to India’s freedom struggle and principles of truth, Ahimsa and Satyagraha.
His major movements included the Non-Cooperation, Civil Disobedience and Quit India Movements.
The 1930 Salt March from Sabarmati Ashram to Dandi became a major anti-colonial campaign.
Key Fact: October 2 is also observed globally as the International Day of Non-Violence.

Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti 2026 Marks 122nd Birth Anniversary

Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti was observed on October 2, 2026, marking his 122nd birth anniversary.
Shastri was born in Mughalsarai, Uttar Pradesh, in 1904.
He became Prime Minister on June 9, 1964, succeeding Jawaharlal Nehru.
He served as Prime Minister until January 11, 1966.
His tenure included the 1965 India-Pakistan war, food shortages and efforts to strengthen agriculture.
Key Fact: Shastri is closely associated with the slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan.”