Daily Current Affairs – 26 October 2026

Today is the Accession Day of Jammu & Kashmir (26 October 1947), India finishes its best-ever Asian Para Games campaign, the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2026 was announced on 12 October, the Army prepares to mark Infantry Day tomorrow (27 October), and Jio Platforms’ IPO listing generates record market buzz. Here is the news that matters for competitive exams.

India - National Affairs

26 October - Jammu & Kashmir Accession Day 2026 (79th Anniversary)

Today marks the 79th anniversary of the Accession of Jammu & Kashmir to India. On 26 October 1947, Maharaja Hari Singh - the last reigning Maharaja of the princely state of Jammu & Kashmir - signed the Instrument of Accession, formally acceding J&K to the Dominion of India, in the immediate aftermath of a large-scale tribal militia invasion from Pakistan that had begun on 22 October 1947.

Key facts about J&K Accession

• The Instrument of Accession was signed on 26 October 1947 by Maharaja Hari Singh and accepted by Governor-General Lord Mountbatten on 27 October 1947.
• The accession was on three subjects: Defence, External Affairs, and Communications - the standard subjects for Instrument of Accession under the Indian Independence Act, 1947.
• In response, the Indian Army was airlifted to Srinagar on 27 October 1947 - a date observed as Infantry Day - to defend J&K from the tribal invasion.
• Article 370 of the Indian Constitution gave J&K a special status (since abrogated on 5 August 2019 through The Constitution (Application to Jammu and Kashmir) Order, 2019 and the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019).
• J&K was bifurcated into two UTs on 31 October 2019: J&K UT (with legislature) and Ladakh UT (without legislature).
• J&K’s first democratic elections post-reorganisation were held in September-October 2024; National Conference-Congress alliance won; Omar Abdullah became Chief Minister.

Exam note: The Instrument of Accession is a legal document under which Indian princely states joined either India or Pakistan at Independence (August 1947); 562 princely states were integrated into India, largely through the efforts of Deputy PM and Home Minister Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and his Secretary V.P. Menon. J&K LG (current): Sinha (post of LG); J&K CM: Omar Abdullah (National Conference). J&K was granted Statehood status in the Union Budget 2026 speech - restoration of full statehood remains a political commitment pending implementation. J&K’s area: approximately 42,241 sq km (UT of J&K, excluding Ladakh). Winter capital: Jammu; Summer capital: Srinagar.

PM Modi chairs meeting of National Committee on Commemoration of 80 years of Independence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi chaired a meeting of the National Committee on the Commemoration of 80 Years of Independence (Swaraj@80) at 7, Lok Kalyan Marg, New Delhi on 25 October 2026, reviewing preparations for the year-long programme leading up to 15 August 2027 - India’s 80th Independence Day. The committee approved a 13-theme cultural and governance calendar covering Science & Technology, Art & Culture, Sports, Tribal Heritage, Green India, Digital India, and Viksit Bharat showcases across all 36 states and UTs.

Exam note: India’s Independence Day is observed on 15 August every year; the 75th Independence Day (Amrit Mahotsav) was celebrated from 12 March 2021 to 15 August 2023 under the theme “Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav.” The 80th Independence Day will be observed on 15 August 2027. The National Committee on Commemoration of 75 Years of Independence was chaired by PM Modi; its equivalent for 80 years is also PM-chaired. Bharat Mandapam (Pragati Maidan, New Delhi) is the national venue for major commemorative events; inaugurated 26 July 2023.

Centre extends PM-KISAN scheme to urban farmers under ‘PM-KISAN Urban’ pilot in 12 cities

The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced on 25 October 2026 the launch of the PM-KISAN Urban pilot programme - extending the PM Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) direct income support of ₹6,000 per year to eligible urban farmers and kitchen gardeners in 12 pilot cities including Delhi, Mumbai, Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Chennai, Pune, Ahmedabad, Jaipur, Lucknow, Kolkata, Patna, and Bhopal, as India’s urban agriculture sector grows rapidly.

Exam note: PM-KISAN was launched on 24 February 2019 at Gorakhpur, Uttar Pradesh by PM Modi; it provides ₹6,000 per year in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 directly to farmers’ bank accounts through DBT; it currently covers approximately 11 crore farm families. PM-KISAN is implemented by the Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare under the Ministry of Agriculture. Eligibility: small and marginal farmers owning cultivable land (urban agriculture was previously excluded). India’s urban agricultural area: estimated at 200,000 hectares (rooftop, balcony, community gardens). Union Minister of Agriculture: Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

India’s Tentative UNESCO World Heritage List reaches 81 - Recap

As reported earlier, three new sites - Baratang Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex, Andaman Subduction Volcanoes (Narcondam and Barren Islands), and Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape (Chhattisgarh) - were added on 20 October 2026, taking India’s Tentative List to 81 sites. India has 45 UNESCO World Heritage Sites after Sarnath (UP) was inscribed in July 2026. India’s only confirmed active volcano: Barren Island (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).

Other national headlines this week

• The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference concluded in Bhubaneswar on 23-24 October 2026, with the adoption of the Bhubaneswar Declaration on Urban Mobility 2026 calling for integrated multimodal transport networks across Tier-1 and Tier-2 cities.
• The Green Diwali Campaign 2026 (20 October-8 November) - cracker-free celebration drive under Mission LiFE - covers 130 cities under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
• The Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026 is ongoing in Ahmedabad, Gujarat (23-31 October).

Daily Current Affairs 26 October 2026 - Download Free PDF Here

Economy & Banking

Jio Platforms IPO listed on 24 October; opens 12% above issue price

Jio Platforms Limited listed on the BSE and NSE on 24 October 2026 at ₹1,253.40 - a premium of approximately 12% over the upper end of the issue price band of ₹1,119 - valuing the company at approximately ₹11.53 lakh crore at listing. The ₹30,213 crore IPO - India’s largest-ever - was subscribed 5.57 times overall, with the QIB (Qualified Institutional Buyer) portion subscribed 11.2 times.

Exam note: Jio Platforms is a subsidiary of Reliance Industries Limited (RIL); it operates Reliance Jio Infocomm (India’s largest telecom operator - approximately 48 crore subscribers, September 2026), JioSaavn, JioCinema, JioMart, JioFiber, and other digital platforms. Previous India IPO record: Hyundai Motor India (₹27,870 crore, October 2024). SEBI regulates IPOs under SEBI (ICDR) Regulations, 2018. RIL Chairman: Mukesh Ambani. BSE is Asia’s oldest stock exchange, est. 1875. SEBI Chairperson: Tuhin Kanta Pandey. Jio was commercially launched on 5 September 2016.

Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences 2026 - Simon Johnson, Daron Acemoglu, and James A. Robinson (announced 12 October)

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the 2026 Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences (formally: Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel) on 12 October 2026, jointly awarded to:

• Daron Acemoglu (Turkish-American, MIT)
• Simon Johnson (British-American, MIT)
• James A. Robinson (British-American, University of Chicago)

Citation: “for studies of how institutions are formed and affect prosperity” - specifically for their foundational research demonstrating that inclusive economic and political institutions (as opposed to extractive ones) are the primary long-run determinant of national prosperity, economic growth, and development, as developed in their landmark works including ‘Why Nations Fail’ (2012) and ‘The Narrow Corridor’ (2019).

Key facts

• Daron Acemoglu and James A. Robinson are longtime collaborators; they had jointly authored ‘Why Nations Fail’ (2012) and ‘The Narrow Corridor’ (2019) - two of the most influential development economics books of the 21st century.
• Simon Johnson co-authored ‘Power and Progress’ (2023) with Acemoglu on AI and its economic consequences.
• Prize money: 11 million Swedish kronor (approximately USD 1 million), shared equally.
• The Economics Nobel is the only Nobel Prize NOT in Alfred Nobel’s original will; it was established by Sweden’s central bank (Sveriges Riksbank) in 1968 to mark its 300th anniversary and has been awarded since 1969.
• First Economics Nobel laureates: Jan Tinbergen (Netherlands) and Ragnar Frisch (Norway) in 1969.
• Indian-origin Economics Nobel laureates: Amartya Sen (1998) - Welfare Economics; Abhijit Banerjee (2019) - Experimental approach to poverty alleviation.

Exam note: The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences (Kungl. Vetenskapsakademien) awards the Nobel Prizes in Physics, Chemistry, and Economic Sciences. The Nobel Foundation HQ: Stockholm, Sweden. All Nobel Prizes are awarded on 10 December (Alfred Nobel’s death anniversary, 10 December 1896). Nobel Prize ceremony venues: Stockholm Concert Hall (Physics, Chemistry, Medicine, Literature, Economics) and Oslo City Hall (Peace). J-PAL (Abdul Latif Jameel Poverty Action Lab) at MIT - co-founded by Acemoglu and collaborators - has conducted 1,400+ randomised controlled trials in 89 countries. J-PAL South Asia is based at IFMR, Chennai.

RBI releases October 2026 Monetary Policy Report - inflation trajectory and growth outlook

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released the October 2026 Monetary Policy Report (MPR) on 25 October 2026, projecting CPI inflation at 3.8% for FY2026-27 (full year average) - within the 4% (±2%) target band - and GDP growth at 7.2% for FY2026-27, with risks broadly balanced. The report noted that the October repo rate hike to 5.50% was aimed at preventing any second-round inflation effects from global commodity price pressures.

Exam note: The Monetary Policy Report (MPR) is published by RBI twice a year (April and October), alongside the bi-monthly MPC decisions; it provides detailed analysis of inflation trends, growth outlook, and risks. RBI Governor: Sanjay Malhotra (appointed December 2024). MPC has 6 members; meets 6 times a year (bi-monthly). India’s Monetary Policy Framework was formalised through amendment of the RBI Act, 1934 in 2016. CPI inflation target: 4% (±2%); breach of the band for 3 consecutive quarters requires the RBI to write an explanatory letter to the Government. Repo Rate (current): 5.50%; Reverse Repo: 3.35%; CRR: 4%; SLR: 18%.

India’s forex reserves cross USD 715 billion - new all-time high

India’s foreign exchange reserves rose to a fresh all-time high of USD 715.3 billion as of the week ending 17 October 2026, up from USD 710.5 billion (previous record set week ending 4 July 2026), driven by strong FII equity inflows, RBI forex purchases, and appreciation of non-dollar reserve currencies, as per data released by the RBI this week.

Exam note: India’s forex reserves consist of: Foreign Currency Assets (FCAs) - largest component; Gold Reserves (India holds approximately 876 tonnes of gold as of October 2026, 5th largest central bank gold holding globally); Special Drawing Rights (SDRs); and Reserve Tranche Position (RTP) in the IMF. India ranks 4th globally in forex reserves (after China ~$3.3 trillion, Japan ~$1.3 trillion, Switzerland ~$860 billion). Forex reserves are managed by RBI under FEMA (Foreign Exchange Management Act), 1999. IMF HQ: Washington D.C., USA. IMF MD: Kristalina Georgieva (Bulgaria, 2nd term).

Recap: Economy highlights this week

• India-New Zealand FTA in force from 20 October 2026 - India’s 17th FTA; allows 1,000 young Indians to work in NZ for a year.
• SGB 2018-19 Series-II redeemed at ₹14,425/unit on 23 October 2026.
• Maersk selected L&T’s Kattupalli Shipyard (Chennai) for its first Indian drydocking - boost to India’s ship repair sector.
• Vultr (USA) launched a 20 MW AI supercluster in Chennai on AMD Instinct MI355X GPUs.

Science & Technology

DRDO successfully tests Quantum Key Distribution on live defence network at Chandipur

DRDO (Defence Research and Development Organisation) conducted a landmark Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) test on a live defence network at Proof and Experimental Establishment (PXE), Chandipur, Odisha on 14 October 2026 - making India one of a small group of countries to have validated quantum-secured military communications on an operational network.

Exam note: QKD (Quantum Key Distribution) uses principles of quantum mechanics (specifically quantum entanglement and the no-cloning theorem) to distribute encryption keys that are theoretically impossible to intercept without detection; it is the gold standard for post-quantum secure communications. India’s National Quantum Mission (NQM) was approved on 19 April 2023 with a budget of ₹6,003.65 crore (2023-2031), targeting intermediate-scale quantum computers (50-1000 qubits), quantum communication networks, quantum sensing, and quantum materials. DRDO Chairman: Samir V. Kamat. PXE Chandipur (Odisha) is India’s primary missile and weapons testing range on the Bay of Bengal coast. DRDO was established in 1958; HQ: New Delhi.

ISRO’s LME-1100 LOX-methane engine test - next-generation propulsion milestone

ISRO successfully ignited a key component of its LME-1100 (Liquid Methane Engine - 1,100 kN) - a LOX (Liquid Oxygen) - Liquid Methane cryogenic engine being developed for India’s next-generation heavy-lift and deep-space launch vehicles. The test was conducted at the ISRO Propulsion Complex (IPRC), Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu - India’s primary liquid propulsion testing facility.

Exam note: LME-1100 is ISRO’s most powerful engine in development; thrust: 1,100 kN (comparable to SpaceX’s Merlin engines used in Falcon 9). LOX-methane propulsion (also called methalox) is the preferred propellant for next-generation rockets globally - used in SpaceX’s Raptor engine (Starship) and Blue Origin’s BE-4; it offers high specific impulse, reusability potential, and the possibility of in-situ propellant production (ISRU) on Mars. ISRO’s current engines: CE-20 (cryogenic, LOX-LH2, LVM3 upper stage), Vikas (semi-cryogenic, PSLV/GSLV), PS4 (MMH-MON, PSLV 4th stage). IPRC (ISRO Propulsion Complex), Mahendragiri is in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu. ISRO Chairman: S. Somanath.

India Mobile Congress 2026 - key takeaways (concluded 10 October)

The 10th India Mobile Congress (IMC 2026) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi (7-10 October) recorded over 1.5 lakh visitors and 400+ exhibitors from 100 countries, with 15 MoUs signed between DoT and global technology companies for 6G R&D, AI-driven network automation, and rural broadband connectivity. India committed to a 6G commercial rollout by 2030 and demonstrated the Bharat 6G Alliance’s first live 6G testbed.

Exam note: India Mobile Congress (IMC) is organised jointly by DoT (Department of Telecommunications) and COAI (Cellular Operators Association of India); it is Asia’s largest technology, media, and telecom show. India completed 5G rollout across all 766 districts in March 2025. India’s 5G subscriber base: 25 crore+ (September 2026). Bharat 6G Alliance was launched by DoT in March 2023; India aims to be a contributor (not just consumer) of 6G standards. Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) HQ: New Delhi. TRAI Chairman: Anil Kumar Lahoti. India’s telecom market has approximately 120 crore subscribers (September 2026).

Defence & Security

Infantry Day tomorrow (27 October) - 79th anniversary of Indian Army’s first operation

Infantry Day is observed on 27 October every year by the Indian Army, marking the airlift of the 1st Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 October 1947 - the very first military operation conducted by India after Independence - in response to the tribal militia invasion of J&K that began on 22 October 1947, a day after Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession.

Exam note: The 1st Sikh Regiment was the first Indian Army unit to land at Srinagar airport on 27 October 1947, repelling the tribal invaders (Lashkar-e-Islam, backed by Pakistan) who had reached the outskirts of Srinagar. Infantry is the largest combat arm of the Indian Army; the Army has 21 Infantry Regiments and associated battalions totalling approximately 750 units. Regimental Centres (where infantry units are raised and trained): across India. India’s Army Day: 15 January (marking General K.M. Cariappa’s assumption of command as India’s first Indian COAS from General Sir Roy Bucher in 1949). COAS: General Dhiraj Seth.

SIMBEX-2026 (33rd edition) sea phase ongoing in Bay of Bengal

The sea phase of SIMBEX-2026 (33rd edition) - the India-Singapore Bilateral Maritime Exercise - began on 24 October in the Bay of Bengal after the harbour phase at Visakhapatnam concluded on 23 October, and runs until 26 October 2026. The sea phase involves anti-submarine warfare (ASW) drills, anti-surface operations, anti-air exercises, cross-deck flying, and underway replenishment (UNREP) training.

Exam note: SIMBEX (Singapore India Maritime Bilateral Exercise) is one of India’s longest-running bilateral naval exercises, first held in 1994 when it was known as Exercise Lion King; renamed SIMBEX in 2005. Singapore’s Navy: Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). India-Singapore defence relations are governed by the Defence Cooperation Agreement (DCA). India-Singapore bilateral trade: approximately USD 35 billion (2025-26). Singapore is a key partner in India’s Act East Policy. Singapore PM: Lawrence Wong (assumed office May 2024). Indian Navy Eastern Naval Command (host): Visakhapatnam.

AUSTRAHIND 2026 continues in Thiruvananthapuram

The 5th edition of AUSTRAHIND 2026 - the India-Australia joint Army exercise - continues at the Foreign Training Node, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala (19 October-1 November 2026), with approximately 120 personnel each side and New Zealand observers participating for the first time. The exercise focuses on counter-terrorism operations in semi-urban and jungle terrain, drone warfare, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief), and joint tactical operations.

Exam note: AUSTRAHIND was first held in 2022 under the India-Australia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (formalised June 2020). Australia-India Bilateral Trade: approximately USD 27 billion (2025-26). Australian PM: Anthony Albanese (Labor Party). Australia is a key partner in India’s Quad (Quadrilateral Security Dialogue) along with USA and Japan. India’s other exercises with Australia: AUSINDEX (Navy), Pitch Black (Air Force). Indian Army Southern Command (host): Pune (jurisdiction includes Thiruvananthapuram via regional commands).

Recap: Army’s new Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 released

As reported, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 - replacing the 2018 doctrine - at the conclusion of the Army Commanders’ Conference (21-23 October 2026) in New Delhi. The doctrine integrates lessons from recent global conflicts and provides a framework for drone warfare, AI-enabled operations, cyber-electromagnetic spectrum warfare, and precision-strike capability into the Indian Army’s warfighting doctrine. COAS: General Dhiraj Seth.

Sports

Asian Para Games 2026 - India’s final medal tally (Games concluded 24 October)

The 2026 Asian Para Games at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan concluded on 24 October 2026. India posted their best-ever performance at the Asian Para Games with a final tally of:

India finished 4th in the overall standings behind China (1st), Japan (2nd), South Korea (3rd) - surpassing India’s previous best of 111 medals (29 Gold) at Hangzhou 2023 (some official tallies list 108-109) - making 2026 India’s joint-best Asian Para Games in terms of Gold medals and best-ever in total medals at 105.

Star performers

• Sheetal Devi (para archery, J&K) - 3 Gold medals overall at these Games (compound individual, compound mixed team, compound open team); world’s most celebrated armless archer.
• Pramod Bhagat (para badminton, Odisha) - 2 Gold medals (SL3 Singles and SL3-SU5 Mixed Doubles); Paralympic gold medallist (Tokyo 2020).
• Suvarna Raj - Gold, Women’s Discus Throw F54.
• Dilip Gavit and Shailesh Kumar - Athletics golds.
• Para athletics contributed the most medals: 60+ medals from athletics events.

Exam note: Asian Para Games are organised by the Asian Paralympic Committee (APC), HQ: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; held every 4 years in the same host city as the Asian Games. 2026 Asian Para Games host: Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (18-24 October). The 2030 Asian Para Games will be hosted by Doha, Qatar. India’s flagbearers: Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel. Paralympic Committee of India (PCI) HQ: New Delhi. Sheetal Devi received the Arjuna Award (2023) and is the first armless archer to win a World Cup gold (2022, Pilsen, Czech Republic). India’s Paralympic performance at Paris 2024: 7 Gold, 9 Silver, 4 Bronze - 29 medals total, best-ever Olympic/Paralympic haul.

Asian Champions Trophy (Hockey) 2026 begins in Punjab tomorrow (27 October)

The 2026 Asian Champions Trophy (Men’s Hockey) begins tomorrow, 27 October, in Punjab and runs until 5 November 2026. The six participating teams are India, Pakistan, South Korea, Japan, China, and Malaysia. India are the defending champions, having won the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.

Exam note: The Asian Champions Trophy is organised by the Asian Hockey Federation (AHF), HQ: Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. India has won the Asian Champions Trophy 4 times (2011, 2016, 2023 and counting). Hockey India is the national governing body; HQ: New Delhi. India’s men’s hockey captain: Harmanpreet Singh. India’s men’s hockey chief coach: Craig Fulton (Ireland). India won Bronze at Paris 2024 Olympics - ending a 52-year Olympic medal drought in hockey (previous: Gold at 1980 Moscow). India has won 8 Olympic gold medals in men’s field hockey - the most by any country. FIH (International Hockey Federation) HQ: Lausanne, Switzerland. FIH President: Tayyab Ikram.

Coming up in sports

• Summer Youth Olympics (Dakar 2026): 31 October-13 November, Dakar, Senegal - first Olympics ever hosted on African soil; 5th edition; for athletes aged 15-18.
• Asian Champions Trophy (Hockey): Punjab, 27 October-5 November.
• Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship 2026: Ahmedabad, 23-31 October (concludes on 31 October).

Important Days

26 October - J&K Accession Day (79th Anniversary)

As detailed in the National Affairs section above, 26 October 1947 marks the day Maharaja Hari Singh signed the Instrument of Accession, formally joining Jammu & Kashmir to the Indian Union. This day is observed as J&K Accession Day (also called Accession Day of Jammu and Kashmir) every year.

Exam note: The Instrument of Accession was executed in Jammu (Maharaja Hari Singh’s winter capital) on 26 October 1947. The Indian Army’s first airlift to Srinagar the following day (27 October 1947) is commemorated as Infantry Day. Maharaja Hari Singh (1895-1961) was the last Maharaja of J&K; he acceded to India and later settled in Mumbai. His son: Karan Singh - served as Governor of J&K (1965-1967) and is a veteran politician.

27 October - Infantry Day (tomorrow)

Infantry Day is observed on 27 October by the Indian Army, marking the 79th anniversary of the first Indian military operation - the airlift of the 1st Sikh Regiment to Srinagar on 27 October 1947. It is observed with parades, felicitation of veterans, and ceremonial events at Infantry Regimental Centres across the country.

31 October - National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) - coming up

National Unity Day (Rashtriya Ekta Diwas) is observed on 31 October every year - the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (born 31 October 1875, Nadiad, Gujarat) - to reaffirm India’s unity and integrity. First observed in 2014 (when the BJP government under PM Modi instituted it). The Statue of Unity - world’s tallest statue at 182 metres - at Kevadia (Ekta Nagar), Narmada district, Gujarat, was inaugurated by PM Modi on 31 October 2018.

Exam note: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel - Iron Man of India; India’s 1st Deputy Prime Minister and Home Minister (1947-1950); integrated 562 princely states into the Indian Union alongside his Secretary V.P. Menon; he was conferred the Bharat Ratna (posthumously, 1991). The Statue of Unity was built by L&T (Larsen & Toubro) in 33 months at a cost of approximately ₹2,989 crore; it depicts Patel in a striding posture overlooking the Sardar Sarovar Dam on the Narmada River. 31 October is also the death anniversary of former PM Indira Gandhi (1984) - assassinated on 31 October 1984 by her bodyguards at her residence at 1, Safdarjung Road, New Delhi; also Halloween (internationally). Indira Gandhi served as India’s 3rd and only woman Prime Minister (1966-1977 and 1980-1984).

Recent important days (recap)

Quick Revision - One-Liners

• J&K Accession Day: 26 October 1947 - Maharaja Hari Singh signed Instrument of Accession; accession on Defence, External Affairs, Communications; accepted by Governor-General Lord Mountbatten on 27 October 1947.
• Article 370 abrogated: 5 August 2019; J&K bifurcated into two UTs on 31 October 2019 - J&K UT (with legislature) + Ladakh UT (without legislature).
• J&K CM (current): Omar Abdullah (National Conference); first democratic election post-reorganisation: September-October 2024.
• Infantry Day: 27 October - 1st Sikh Regiment airlifted to Srinagar; 79th anniversary (2026).
• National Unity Day: 31 October - birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel (1875); Statue of Unity - 182 m, Kevadia, Gujarat; inaugurated 31 October 2018; built by L&T.
• Nobel Economics Prize 2026: Daron Acemoglu, Simon Johnson, James A. Robinson (all MIT/UChicago); citation - “institutions and prosperity”; book - ‘Why Nations Fail’ (2012); prize - 11 mn SEK; announced 12 October 2026.
• Economics Nobel facts: established by Sveriges Riksbank (1968); first awarded 1969 to Jan Tinbergen + Ragnar Frisch; Indians: Amartya Sen (1998), Abhijit Banerjee (2019).
• Jio Platforms IPO: listed 24 October 2026 at ₹1,253.40 (~12% premium); issue size ₹30,213 crore (India’s largest); price band ₹1,065-1,119; market cap at listing ~₹11.53 lakh crore; RIL Chairman: Mukesh Ambani.
• India’s Forex Reserves: new all-time high USD 715.3 billion (week ending 17 October 2026); India 4th globally in reserves.
• RBI Monetary Policy Report (Oct 2026): CPI inflation projection FY27 - 3.8%; GDP growth - 7.2%; Repo Rate - 5.50% (raised 25 bps, 7 October 2026).
• Asian Para Games 2026 Final Tally: India - 105 medals (29G, 31S, 45B), 4th; Aichi-Nagoya, Japan; 18-24 October; Sheetal Devi - 3 golds; Pramod Bhagat - 2 golds.
• SIMBEX-2026 (33rd edition): India-Singapore; sea phase 24-26 October, Bay of Bengal; began 1994.
• AUSTRAHIND 2026 (5th edition): India-Australia; Thiruvananthapuram; 19 Oct-1 Nov; NZ observers (first time).
• Asian Champions Trophy (Hockey) 2026: begins 27 October, Punjab; ends 5 November; India - defending champions.
• Summer Youth Olympics 2026: Dakar, Senegal; 31 Oct-13 Nov; first Olympics on African soil; 5th edition; ages 15-18.
• DRDO QKD test: live defence network; PXE Chandipur, Odisha; 14 October 2026.
• ISRO LME-1100: LOX-methane engine; 1,100 kN thrust; tested at IPRC, Mahendragiri, Tamil Nadu.
• Land Warfare Doctrine 2026: released by Rajnath Singh at Army Commanders’ Conference (21-23 Oct); replaces 2018 doctrine; COAS - General Dhiraj Seth.
• UNESCO Tentative List - India: 81 sites; WH Sites - 45 (Sarnath added July 2026); active volcano - Barren Island (A&N Islands).
• LAHDC Amendment Regulation 2026: effective 19 Oct; councils in all 8 Ladakh districts including Sankoo (8th district, 16 Oct); seats min 7 - max 24; ‘Governor’ → ‘Administrator’.
• India-Poland trade target: USD 12 bn by 2030 (current: ~USD 6 bn); Strategic Partnership since August 2024.
• National Quantum Mission (NQM): approved 19 April 2023; budget ₹6,003.65 crore (2023-2031); target: 50-1000 qubit computers by 2031.
• PM-KISAN Urban pilot: ₹6,000/year to urban farmers; 12 pilot cities; announced 25 October 2026.
• Accession Day of J&K - 26 October; Infantry Day - 27 October; National Unity Day - 31 October (Patel’s birth anniversary, 1875).
• UN Day: 24 October; UN Charter in force - 24 October 1945; 193 member states; UNSG - António Guterres.
• World Polio Day: 24 October; India polio-free - 27 March 2014; last case - 13 January 2011 (Howrah, WB); wild polio persists in Afghanistan and Pakistan only.