The RBI raises the repo rate for the first time since 2023, the 10th India Mobile Congress opens at Yashobhoomi, Smriti Mandhana is named India women's full-time captain as Harmanpreet Kaur steps down after a historic tenure, and Bimal Patel is sworn in as a judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Here is the news that matters for competitive exams today.
India – National Affairs
10th India Mobile Congress 2026 begins at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
The 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026 began today at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. The four-day technology event, organised under the aegis of the Department of Telecommunications with industry body COAI, runs until 10 October 2026 and brings together telecom, technology and digital-infrastructure stakeholders to showcase advances in 5G/6G, AI, semiconductors and digital connectivity.
Bimal Patel sworn in as Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS)
Bimal Patel, an Indian international law expert, was sworn in as a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), based in Hamburg, Germany. ITLOS is the independent judicial body established under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), 1982, to adjudicate disputes concerning the interpretation and application of the Convention.
Captain Smit Machchhar to receive the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award
Captain Smit Machchhar has been selected to receive the Vishisht Gujarat Garima Award, a state honour recognising individuals who have brought distinction and pride to Gujarat through their achievements.
First international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh to Dhaka via National Waterway-2
India conducted its first international cargo voyage from Dibrugarh, Assam, to Dhaka, Bangladesh, via National Waterway-2 (the Brahmaputra), marking a milestone in India's inland-waterways connectivity with Bangladesh and the wider Northeast region's riverine trade links.
India's first National Household Travel Survey 2025–26: key findings released
The Ministry released findings from India's first-ever National Household Travel Survey (NHTS) 2025–26, a comprehensive study of household travel patterns, commuting behaviour and transport-mode usage across Indian cities – intended to inform future urban-mobility and transport-infrastructure planning.
Recap: Chandrayaan and PRAMAAN certification continue to feature in national coverage
This week's broader national coverage continues to reference recent milestones including India's first PRAMAAN forest certification (issued to Andhra Pradesh) and the country's first free-space Quantum Key Distribution link, both significant exam-relevant developments from early October.
Daily Current Affairs 7 October 2026 - Download Free PDF Here
Economy & Banking
RBI hikes repo rate by 25 bps to 5.50%, the first increase since 2023
The Reserve Bank of India's Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), meeting from 5 to 7 October 2026 under Governor Sanjay Malhotra, unanimously voted to raise the policy repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50%, from 5.25% – the first rate hike since 2023, ending a run of four consecutive policy reviews with the rate held steady at 5.25%.
Key details
- Policy stance changed from neutral to 'calibrated tightening', signalling further hikes are more likely than cuts in the near term; near-term rate cuts are effectively "off the table."
- FY27 GDP growth revised upward to 7.1% (from 6.6% earlier), with quarterly projections of Q2: 7.2% and Q3: 6.9%.
- Inflation: headline CPI inflation projected to average almost 5.8% over the next three quarters; core inflation projected at 4.4% for FY27.
- Rationale: rising inflation risks, elevated global geopolitical tensions, tighter global financial conditions and resilient domestic growth together strengthened the case for tightening.
- The RBI also flagged elevated valuations of AI-related assets globally as a key downside risk to the world economic outlook, alongside geopolitical tensions, tighter global financial conditions and high public debt.
- The hike came broadly in line with market expectations: a Reuters poll had found 35 of 61 economists forecasting a 25 bps hike, with 26 expecting no change.
Follow-through: HDFC Bank leadership and FY27 growth outlook
- Anup Bagchi remains set to take charge as HDFC Bank's MD & CEO from 27 October 2026, the bank's first external appointee to the role.
- The RBI's own FY27 growth upgrade to 7.1% aligns closely with the Finance Ministry's recent Q2 FY27 projection of 7.3% and the OECD's earlier upgrade to the same figure.
Science & Technology
Recap: India's free-space QKD link and the 2026 Nobel Prize in Medicine
This week's major science stories – India's first 5.56 km free-space Quantum Key Distribution link (QNu Labs, BISAG-N and IIT Gandhinagar) and the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine, awarded to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel for discoveries in optogenetics – continue to be widely referenced across current-affairs coverage.
2026 Nobel Prize in Physics announced
The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences announced the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics this week, continuing the annual Nobel Prize announcement sequence that began with the Medicine prize on 5 October. (Full citation details were still emerging at the time of writing; readers preparing for exams should check for the confirmed laureates and their specific contribution.)
Defence & Security
Indian Coast Guard Recruitment 2026: 365 posts for Navik (GD/DB) and Yantrik
The Staff Selection Commission, under the Ministry of Defence, opened recruitment for 365 posts in the Indian Coast Guard for Navik (General Duty/Domestic Branch) and Yantrik (Mechanical/Electrical/Electronics) positions, offering fresh entry-level opportunities into the force.
Recap: Akash exports and Mountain Guardian 2026
This week's defence developments – the export of the indigenous Akash air defence system to Turkmenistan and Tajikistan, and the ongoing Exercise Mountain Guardian 2026 at Chaubattia, Uttarakhand – remain significant and recurring exam topics.
Sports
Smriti Mandhana named India women's full-time captain as Harmanpreet Kaur steps down
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) appointed Smriti Mandhana as the new full-time, all-format captain of the Indian women's cricket team, after long-serving skipper Harmanpreet Kaur stepped down from the role following a landmark tenure that included India's maiden senior ICC Women's World Cup title and the team's Asian Games 2026 gold medal.
Key details
- Mandhana, who made her India debut in 2013, had served as Harmanpreet's deputy for several years and had previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs.
- She is the leading run-scorer in women's international cricket, having surpassed former India captain Mithali Raj, and holds the record for the most international centuries in women's cricket across formats (18).
- She has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women's Premier League (WPL) titles.
- BCCI President Mithun Manhas and Honorary Secretary Devajit Saikia both backed the appointment, citing her experience and leadership temperament; Shafali Verma was named vice-captain for the T20I side.
- Mandhana will lead India in their upcoming home series against Zimbabwe.
Recap: Asian Games 2026 and record-breaking performances
- India's historic 85-medal, 4th-place finish at the Asian Games 2026, including the golden sweep across men's and women's cricket, hockey and kabaddi, continues to feature prominently in sports current-affairs coverage.
- With the Asian Games concluded, host responsibility for the 2030 Asian Games formally passed from Aichi-Nagoya to Doha, Qatar, marked by the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag handover on 5 October.
- South African batter Lhuan-dre Pretorius' record 188 not out off 79 balls in the CSA T20 Challenge remains the newest entry in the T20 record books.
Important Days
7 October – K. Kamaraj Death Anniversary (recap context)
Several current-affairs trackers note 7 October in connection with notable historical anniversaries observed in the Indian political and public-life calendar; students should verify the exact figure/anniversary against the official "Important Days" list for this month, as sourcing varies.
Recap: National Wildlife Week concludes – 2 to 8 October
India's 70th National Wildlife Week continues through 8 October, promoting wildlife conservation and biodiversity awareness – the context for this week's Great Indian Bustard release at Desert National Park, Rajasthan.
Upcoming: 8 October – Indian Air Force Day
Commemorates the establishment of the Indian Air Force on 8 October 1932.
Upcoming: 13 October – International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction
Observed annually to promote disaster-risk awareness, prevention and preparedness worldwide.
Quick Revision – One-Liners
- RBI's October 2026 repo rate decision – hiked by 25 bps to 5.50% (from 5.25%); first hike since 2023.
- New RBI policy stance – changed from 'neutral' to 'calibrated tightening.'
- RBI's revised FY27 GDP growth forecast – 7.1% (from 6.6%); Q2 at 7.2%, Q3 at 6.9%.
- RBI's FY27 headline CPI inflation projection – about 5.8% over the next three quarters; core inflation – 4.4%.
- RBI Governor who announced the hike – Sanjay Malhotra.
- 10th India Mobile Congress 2026 – Yashobhoomi, New Delhi; 7–10 October; organised with COAI.
- Bimal Patel sworn in as – Judge of ITLOS (International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea), Hamburg.
- India's first international cargo voyage via NW-2 – Dibrugarh (Assam) to Dhaka (Bangladesh).
- New India women's cricket captain – Smriti Mandhana (full-time, all-format); succeeds Harmanpreet Kaur.
- Mandhana's T20I vice-captain – Shafali Verma.
- Record held by Smriti Mandhana – leading run-scorer and most centuries (18) in women's international cricket.
- 2030 Asian Games host – Doha, Qatar (OCA flag received from Aichi-Nagoya on 5 October).
- Indian Coast Guard recruitment 2026 – 365 posts, Navik (GD/DB) and Yantrik.
- Indian Air Force Day – 8 October (established 1932).
