A new quarter opens with a wave of regulatory changes taking effect across India, Apple Pay launches in the country with Axis Bank cards, Andhra Pradesh receives India's first PRAMAAN forest certificate, AFSPA is extended for another six months in the Northeast, the Navy's second Naval Commanders' Conference wraps up in New Delhi, and India's Asian Games tally climbs past 63 medals with the Games entering their final day. Here is the news that matters for competitive exams today.
India – National Affairs
Bhupender Yadav launches India's first PRAMAAN forest certification; hands first certificate to Andhra Pradesh
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, launched India's first PRAMAAN forest certification under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS), and handed over the country's first PRAMAAN certificate to Andhra Pradesh.
- Framework: PRAMAAN covers forest management certification and chain-of-custody certification for wood and forest-based products, aimed at promoting sustainable, traceable timber supply chains.
- Positions India among a small group of countries with a dedicated national forest-certification scheme, reducing dependence on international certification bodies.
AFSPA extended for six months in Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
The Ministry of Home Affairs extended the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958 (AFSPA) in notified "disturbed areas" of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh for a further six months, with effect from 1 October 2026.
MoHUA identifies 50 cities under PRAGATI-50 initiative for model urban cleanliness
The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) identified 50 cities across 24 States under the PRAGATI-50 initiative, to be developed as model cities demonstrating higher standards of urban cleanliness and sanitation.
5 new sites added to India's UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage Sites
India added five new sites to its UNESCO Tentative List for World Heritage Sites, expanding the pool of properties under consideration for future nomination as World Heritage Sites.
MoSPI releases sub-sectoral Trial Index of Services Production for July 2026
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released a Sub-Sectoral Trial Index of Services Production (ISP) for July 2026, covering 19 sub-sectors of the services economy, as part of ongoing efforts to build a comprehensive services-sector output indicator.
Second Naval Commanders' Conference 2026 held in New Delhi
The second edition of the Naval Commanders' Conference 2026 was held at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, from 29 September to 1 October 2026, bringing together the Navy's senior leadership to review operational readiness, modernisation and maritime security challenges.
New regulatory changes take effect from 1 October 2026
A cluster of regulatory and compliance changes came into force today, the start of the new financial quarter:
- Biometric Aadhaar Authentication (BAA) is now mandatory for applicable subsidised domestic LPG refills.
- The Registration of Births and Deaths (Amendment) Act, 2026 comes into force, tightening delayed-registration procedures (District Magistrate approval for delays of 1–2 years; Judicial Magistrate First Class order for delays beyond 2 years).
- The RBI's revised framework governing how commercial banks disclose interest rates on bulk fixed deposits takes effect.
- The CBDT has reportedly extended the tax audit report due date to 21 October 2026 and the final Income Tax Return filing window to 21 November 2026.
Daily Current Affairs 01 October 2026 - Download Free PDF Here
Economy & Banking
JNPA partners with IFC for India's first Blue Financing, for shore power infrastructure
Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) partnered with the International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank Group, to secure India's first blue financing of USD 70 million (about Rs. 672 crore) for developing Shore Power Supply (SPS) infrastructure across its terminals in Navi Mumbai, Maharashtra.
Shore power allows docked ships to draw electricity from the grid instead of running diesel generators, cutting port-side emissions – a step toward greener port operations under India's maritime decarbonisation goals.
Apple launches Apple Pay in India with Axis Bank-issued cards
Apple launched Apple Pay in India, initially supporting Axis Bank-issued Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
- Apple Pay's initial India offering is card-based and does not support UPI or RuPay cards.
- India becomes one of the later major markets to receive Apple Pay, amid a payments landscape already dominated by UPI.
Bank of India launches user-level programmable CBDC with auto-issuance
Bank of India launched a user-level programmable Central Bank Digital Currency (CBDC) feature with auto-issuance capability, allowing conditional, rule-based digital rupee transactions – part of the RBI's continuing e₹ (digital rupee) pilot expansion.
Recap: SEBI reforms, FDI high and India's first Blue Bond
- SEBI's board recently approved a PMS-mutual fund investment route (PRIM) and a formula-based settlement framework.
- India's net FDI hit a five-year high of USD 7.35 billion in July 2026, per RBI data.
- Sagarmala Finance Corporation launched India's first-ever Blue Bond, targeting Rs. 600 crore for maritime and coastal infrastructure.
Science & Technology
India's forest cover data: 50 million hectares and growing
Alongside the PRAMAAN certification launch, official data reaffirmed that India's forest and tree cover stands at roughly 82.74 million hectares, about 25.17% of the country's geographical area – context relevant to India's climate commitments and the new forest-certification push.
Recap: TakeMe2Space's orbital data centre and India-France space cooperation
Hyderabad-based TakeMe2Space continues preparation for India's first networked orbital data centre, planned for a Falcon 9 launch in late 2028, while France continues to support India's Gaganyaan programme with consumables supply and flight-surgeon training.
Defence & Security
Second Naval Commanders' Conference concludes amid heightened maritime focus
The Indian Navy's leadership concluded its second Naval Commanders' Conference of 2026 at Nausena Bhawan, reviewing fleet readiness, indigenous shipbuilding progress and the evolving security picture in the Arabian Sea and wider Indian Ocean Region, against the backdrop of this year's naval exercises – including SLINEX-26 with Sri Lanka and Exercise Varuna with France.
AFSPA extension reflects continuing security assessment in the Northeast
The six-month extension of AFSPA in parts of Manipur, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh, effective from 1 October 2026, follows the Home Ministry's periodic review of the security situation in the region, a recurring exam-relevant development given AFSPA's continuing political and legal significance.
Recap: KAZIND-2026 and ongoing exercises
The 9th India-Kazakhstan exercise KAZIND-2026 continues at Oskemen, Kazakhstan, until 11 October, while Tarang Shakti 2026, the IAF's multinational air exercise at Jodhpur with 40 participating countries, runs until 12 October.
Sports
Asian Games 2026 enters its final day; India's tally crosses 63 medals
As the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, reach their final day (4 October) this week, India's medal tally stood at 63 medals – 10 gold, 22 silver and 31 bronze – placing the country 8th in the standings as of 1 October.
Key details
- India's medals span 17 sports, with athletics contributing the most (24 medals), followed by shooting and other disciplines.
- India's first gold of the Games came from the women's cricket team, which retained its Asian Games title with a 147-run win over Sri Lanka.
- Other gold medallists through the Games included the men's and women's kabaddi teams (both beating Iran in their finals) and the 10m air pistol mixed team (Kamaljeet and Suruchi Inder Singh).
- Notable individual performances included Mirabai Chanu's weightlifting silver, Sawan Barwal's marathon silver (India's first marathon medal at the Games since 1982), and Suchika Tariyal's MMA bronze (India's first-ever Asian Games medal in the sport).
- The Games formally conclude on 4 October 2026; final medal counts are expected to be confirmed over the coming days.
India to compete at the 2026 Asian Para Games next
Following the Asian Games, India will send its contingent to the 2026 Asian Para Games, also in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, held from 18 to 24 October 2026 – India's fifth appearance at the event.
Important Days
1 October – International Coffee Day
Observed globally to celebrate coffee as a beverage and recognise the millions of farmers and workers who grow and harvest it. The day was officially launched worldwide by the International Coffee Organization (ICO) in 2015, in Milan, Italy, though individual countries had observed similar days earlier.
1 October – International Day of Older Persons
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 1990 (resolution 45/106), first observed on 1 October 1991, to recognise the contributions of older persons and raise awareness of issues affecting them, including health, social inclusion and age discrimination.
Upcoming: 2 October – Gandhi Jayanti and Lal Bahadur Shastri Jayanti
India observes 2 October as a national holiday marking the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (1869), and also the birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri (1904). The UN also observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence, in Gandhi's honour.
Upcoming: 2–8 October – National Wildlife Week
An annual observance promoting wildlife conservation and awareness of protecting India's biodiversity and natural habitats.
Quick Revision – One-Liners
- India's first forest certification scheme – PRAMAAN, under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS); first certificate issued to Andhra Pradesh.
- AFSPA extended for six months from 1 October 2026 in – Manipur, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh.
- PRAGATI-50 initiative – 50 cities across 24 States, for model urban cleanliness, under MoHUA.
- India's first Blue Financing deal – JNPA and IFC; USD 70 million for Shore Power Supply infrastructure.
- Apple Pay's India launch partner – Axis Bank (Visa/Mastercard credit cards only; no UPI/RuPay support initially).
- Second Naval Commanders' Conference 2026 – held at Nausena Bhawan, New Delhi, 29 September–1 October.
- New rules effective from 1 October 2026 – Biometric Aadhaar Authentication for subsidised LPG refills; RBD (Amendment) Act, 2026; RBI's bulk fixed-deposit disclosure norms.
- India's forest and tree cover – about 82.74 million hectares, 25.17% of geographical area.
- Asian Games 2026 India tally (as of 1 October) – 63 medals (10G, 22S, 31B); ranked 8th; Games conclude 4 October.
- India's first gold at Asian Games 2026 – women's cricket team.
- 2026 Asian Para Games – Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, 18–24 October; India's 5th appearance.
- International Coffee Day & International Day of Older Persons – both 1 October.
- International Day of Older Persons declared by – UNGA Resolution 45/106 (1990); first observed 1991.
