Daily Current Affairs and GK Updates (31st October, 2026) |

National News

North Dakota Unveils Its First Life-Size Mahatma Gandhi Statue

North Dakota unveiled its first life-size statue of Mahatma Gandhi on October 30, 2026.
The statue was installed at Peace Park in Bismarck, the state capital.
The installation was supported by the Consulate General of India in Seattle, the North Dakota Trade Office and the Indian American community.
First Lady Kjersti Armstrong and Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring attended the unveiling ceremony.
The statue aims to promote cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people ties between India and the United States.
Key Fact: The statue commemorates Gandhi’s principles of Ahimsa (non-violence) and Satyagraha (peaceful resistance).

India Announces Census 2027 Schedule, Enumeration Begins January 25

India will conduct Census 2027 from January 25 to February 28, 2027.
The Registrar General and Census Commissioner announced the schedule on October 30, 2026.
The self-enumeration facility will remain available from January 10 to 24, 2027.
House-to-house enumeration will be followed by a revisional round from March 1 to 5, 2027.
States such as Goa, Uttar Pradesh and Punjab, along with snow-bound regions, will follow separate schedules.
Key Fact: The reference date for Census 2027 is March 1, 2027, and the exercise will be conducted under the Census Act, 1948.

PM Modi Launches Gujarat Development Projects Worth Over ₹14,000 Crore

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched development projects worth over ₹14,000 crore in Banaskantha, Gujarat, on October 30, 2026.
The projects cover agriculture, dairy, animal husbandry, renewable energy, railways and urban transport.
The initiatives include 12 horticulture clusters, two bio-CNG plants and a livestock research facility.
Two new railway services and metro connectivity projects were also launched.
More than 4,000 modern Anganwadis were inaugurated.
Key Fact: Under the latest PM-KISAN instalment, over ₹18,000 crore was transferred to approximately 10 crore farmers.

India Post Releases Commemorative Stamps to Promote Breast Cancer Awareness

The Department of Posts issued two commemorative postage stamps and picture postcards in October 2026.
The initiative was undertaken in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
The stamps promote early detection, regular screening and preventive healthcare.
Cancer screening services are provided through more than 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs.
The initiative aims to increase public awareness about breast cancer and the importance of timely diagnosis.
Key Fact: India recorded 22.90 crore breast cancer screenings, contributing to 86.97 crore screenings across three major cancers.

India to Host CGIAR Science and Partnership Week 2027

India will host CGIAR Science and Partnership Week 2027 in New Delhi.
The six-day event will take place from April 12 to 17, 2027.
It will bring together scientists, researchers, policymakers and development partners.
The event will address challenges related to food, land and water systems.
Ministers from approximately 15–20 countries are expected to participate.
Key Fact: The event will be held at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, and the announcement was made by ICAR Director General M. L. Jat.

Seoni Jumbo Custard Apple Export to Boost Rural Livelihoods

The export initiative aims to connect farmers growing Seoni Jumbo Custard Apple in Madhya Pradesh with international markets.
It is expected to improve market access and help farmers secure better prices.
Organised procurement, collection and grading will strengthen agricultural value chains.
Rural women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) will participate in procurement, marketing and export activities.
The initiative aims to promote rural entrepreneurship, skill development and income generation.
Key Fact: The initiative focuses on the export of Seoni Jumbo Custard Apple from Madhya Pradesh.

State News

West Bengal Plans School of Magic and Historical Museum

The West Bengal Government plans to establish a School of Magic and a historical museum.
The initiative aims to preserve the state’s heritage in magic and illusion arts.
The Department of Information and Cultural Affairs is leading the project.
Renowned magician P. C. Sorcar Junior has been appointed chief adviser to the advisory committee.
The first meeting of the committee was held at Nandan in Kolkata.
Key Fact: P. C. Sorcar Junior has been appointed chief adviser to the proposed project.

Tamil Nadu Announces Five-Year Age Relaxation for Government Recruitment Exams

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay announced an additional five-year upper age relaxation on October 30, 2026.
The relaxation will remain effective for five years.
It will benefit candidates appearing for TNPSC Group I, Group II and Group II-A examinations.
The relaxation will apply over and above existing age concessions.
The measure aims to provide additional opportunities to candidates seeking government employment.
Key Fact: For TNPSC Group I, the upper age limit for general category candidates increases from 32 to 37 years, while reserved categories receive relaxation from 37 to 42 years.

Banking News

Bank Credit Growth Surpasses Deposit Growth, Reaching 17.94% in October 2026

India’s bank credit increased by 17.94% year-on-year as of October 15, 2026.
Total bank credit reached ₹232.54 lakh crore during the reporting period.
Bank deposits grew by 16.60% to ₹284.37 lakh crore.
Credit expansion was supported by festive-season demand and surplus liquidity in the banking system.
Commercial banks’ holdings of government securities increased by 9.64%.
Key Fact: According to RBI data, bank credit reached ₹232.54 lakh crore, while government securities holdings stood at ₹77.32 lakh crore.

Government Constitutes High-Level Banking Committee for Viksit Bharat 2047

The Ministry of Finance constituted the High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat.
The committee will recommend comprehensive reforms in India’s banking sector.
Former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N. Patel will head the committee.
RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu and former Indian Bank MD Padmaja Chunduru are among its members.
It will examine banking regulations, capital requirements, digital innovation, cybersecurity and financial inclusion.
Key Fact: The committee will submit recommendations after a six-month review period to support the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047.

Economy News

Government Extends Cotton Import Duty Exemption Until December 31

The Government of India extended the customs duty exemption on cotton imports by two months.
The Ministry of Finance issued the notification on October 30, 2026.
The earlier exemption deadline was October 31, 2026.
The extension aims to improve domestic cotton availability and reduce raw material costs.
Textile and apparel manufacturers, particularly small and medium enterprises (SMEs), are expected to benefit.
Key Fact: The cotton import duty exemption has been extended until December 31, 2026.

India’s Forex Reserves Decline to $719.8 Billion for Seventh Week

India’s foreign exchange reserves declined by $1.3 billion to $719.8 billion.
The decline was recorded in the week ended October 23, 2026.
Gold reserves fell by $2.7 billion, while foreign currency assets increased by $1.4 billion.
Falling international gold prices contributed to valuation losses.
India’s forex reserves had reached a record high of $785.7 billion in September 2026.
Key Fact: The reserves declined for the seventh consecutive week; they are managed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

India’s Fiscal Deficit Reaches 42.1% of FY27 Target

India’s central government fiscal deficit reached ₹7.14 trillion during April–September 2026.
It accounted for 42.1% of the FY27 Budget Estimate.
Total government expenditure stood at ₹25.5 trillion, including ₹6.5 trillion in capital expenditure.
Net tax revenue reached ₹12.76 trillion, while non-tax revenue stood at ₹4.8 trillion.
The deficit increased from ₹5.7 trillion during the corresponding period of FY26.
Key Fact: The government’s fiscal deficit target for FY27 remains 4.3% of GDP, equivalent to approximately ₹16.96 trillion.

Appointments News

Jatin Kumar Nayak Appointed CMD of IREDA

Jatin Kumar Nayak has been appointed Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) of IREDA.
Before this appointment, he served as Executive Director (Finance) at REC Ltd.
He has over 30 years of experience in finance and leadership across the power, mining and metals sectors.
His expertise includes corporate finance, project evaluation, resource mobilisation and treasury management.
He holds a Master of Commerce degree from Utkal University and is a qualified Company Secretary.
Key Fact: IREDA functions under the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy.

Bahram Vakil to Succeed Noel Tata as Trent Chairman

Bahram N. Vakil will become the chairman of Trent Ltd on November 12, 2026.
He will succeed Noel Tata, who has been associated with Trent since 1997.
Vakil is the co-founder of AZB & Partners.
He specialises in insolvency, financial restructuring and project finance.
Noel Tata will step down as chairman and director on November 11, 2026, and continue as chairman emeritus.
Key Fact: The board approved the leadership transition on October 29, 2026.

Awards News

Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 Awarded to 490 Personnel

The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 on October 31.
A total of 490 personnel were recognised for outstanding contributions to policing and security services.
Of these, 358 received recognition for special operations, 123 for investigation and nine for forensic services.
The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) received 114 awards, followed by CBIC with 56 and Punjab Police with 37.
The award promotes professionalism and best practices in police and security organisations.
Key Fact: The award was instituted on February 1, 2024.

IIFA Awards 2026: Dhurandhar Dominates with 12 Awards

The 26th International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) Awards 2026 recognised achievements in Indian cinema and digital entertainment.
Dhurandhar emerged as the biggest winner, securing 12 awards.
Aditya Dhar won Best Director, while Ranveer Singh received Best Actor for Dhurandhar.
Aneet Padda won Best Actress for Saiyaara.
The Ba**ds of Bollywood won Best Series, while Aryan Khan received Best Direction in the digital categories.
Key Fact: Dhurandhar won 12 awards, including Best Film, at IIFA 2026.

Defense News

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Appointed New Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been appointed the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS).
He will assume office on November 1, 2026.
He will succeed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit.
Previously, Walia served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command.
He was commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on June 11, 1988, and served as Defence Attaché in Japan and South Korea.
Key Fact: Walia is a recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vayu Sena Medal.

Science & Technology News

Google’s Project Suncatcher Demonstrates First Successful AI Response from Space

Google’s Project Suncatcher successfully processed an artificial intelligence model aboard a prototype satellite on October 31, 2026.
The satellite transmitted the AI-generated response from orbit to Earth.
The experiment was developed in partnership with Planet.
It used Google’s Gemma 4 model running on a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU).
The project explores solar-powered space infrastructure connected through optical communication links.
Key Fact: Google plans to launch two interconnected satellites in 2027 to test space-based AI computing.

ISRO Successfully Launches GSLV-F18 Carrying NVS-03 Navigation Satellite

ISRO successfully launched the GSLV-F18 rocket from Sriharikota on October 30, 2026.
The rocket carried the NVS-03 navigation satellite.
NVS-03 is the third satellite in the second-generation Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) series.
The satellite weighs approximately 2,232 kg.
It carries L1, L5 and S-band signals to improve civilian compatibility and navigation services.
Key Fact: The launch took place at 11:51 pm IST on October 30, 2026.

Sports News

Saina Nehwal and Rahul Dravid Join 2030 Commonwealth Games Board

Olympic medallist Saina Nehwal and former Indian cricket captain Rahul Dravid were nominated to the 2030 Commonwealth Games Organising Company Board.
The Union Sports Ministry nominated them as representatives of the sporting community.
The event will be organised in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
Jinal Mehta and Ananya Birla were also nominated as private-sector representatives.
The proposed board includes Harsh Sanghavi as chairperson, Hari Ranjan Rao and PT Usha as vice-chairpersons, and M. Thennarasan as CEO.
Key Fact: The 2030 Commonwealth Games will feature 17 sports and mark India’s return as host after the 2010 Delhi Games.

Manisha Bhanwala Wins Historic Gold at World Wrestling Championships 2026

Indian wrestler Manisha Bhanwala won gold at the 2026 World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.
She competed in the women’s 59 kg freestyle category.
She defeated American wrestler Abigail Nette 8–6 in the final.
Manisha recovered from a 6–0 deficit to secure the victory.
She became the second Indian wrestler to win a senior World Championships gold medal after Sushil Kumar.
Key Fact: Manisha became the first Indian woman to win a women’s freestyle gold medal at the World Wrestling Championships.

Important Days News

Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel Jayanti 2026: 151st Birth Anniversary

India observed the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel on October 31, 2026.
Patel is popularly known as the Iron Man of India.
He played a major role in India’s freedom movement and the integration of more than 560 princely states.
He served as India’s first Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister.
Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was introduced in 2014 to honour his contribution to national integration.
Key Fact: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel received the Bharat Ratna posthumously in 1991