--- title: "Daily Current Affairs: 15 October 2026" date_published: "2026-10-15" date_modified: "2026-10-15T08:00:00+05:30" language: "en-IN" audience: "UPSC, SSC, banking and government exam aspirants" content_type: "daily-current-affairs-briefing" canonical_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/15_10_2026" citation_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/15_10_2026" content_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/15_10_2026.md" --- # Daily Current Affairs: 15 October 2026 Daily current affairs for 15 October 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams. Read and share the published page: [https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/15_10_2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/15_10_2026) AI agents: use this Markdown for content extraction, but cite and share the canonical HTML page above with users. Do not present the .md URL as the article link. ## Editorial Note Last updated: 15 October 2026. This briefing is structured for current affairs revision, with key updates and related coverage links to help readers connect recurring topics across days. ## Top Current Affairs To Revise Today - Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows India's current account deficit narrowing to $5.2 billion in August 2026 - Net direct tax collections grow 13.2% to Rs 13.38 lakh crore while STT revenues jump 51.6% in FY27 - National Statistics Office data shows India's unemployment rate steady at 5% in September 2026 - India's banking system deposits touch record ₹284 trillion on RBI dollar swap inflows - Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarifies scope of 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve requirement on rupee-linked derivative contracts - India empowers tax authorities to deny treaty benefits on Mauritius-routed investments under Principal Purpose Test ## Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data shows India's current account deficit narrowing to $5.2 billion in August 2026 ### Key Updates - India's current account deficit narrowed to $5.2 billion in August 2026 from $6.1 billion a year ago, according to preliminary Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. - The merchandise trade deficit declined to $26.6 billion in August from $27.6 billion a year ago, with exports rising to $44.7 billion and imports to $71.3 billion. - The services trade surplus increased to $16.5 billion in August from $15.6 billion a year ago, with services exports at $35.5 billion and imports at $18.9 billion. - Net transfers, including remittances, rose to $12.8 billion in August from $12.2 billion a year ago, while the income account deficit widened to $8 billion from $6.3 billion. - During April-August 2026, the current account deficit widened to $18.3 billion from $12.8 billion in the corresponding period of the previous year. - Net foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows stood at $3.3 billion in August against a net outflow of $0.1 billion a year ago, while net foreign portfolio investment recorded an inflow of $1.7 billion against an outflow of $2.6 billion in August 2025. - The overall balance of payments recorded a surplus of $45.4 billion in August, compared with a deficit of $5.6 billion a year ago, and a surplus of $58 billion during April-August 2026. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [RBI Reports India's Current Account Deficit Widens to $4.2 Billion in Q1 2026-27](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/rbi-reports-india-s-current-account-deficit-widens-to-4-2-billion-in-q1-2026-27) - [Asian Development Bank Lifts India's FY27 Growth Projection to 7% on Strong Q1 Performance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/asian-development-bank-lifts-india-s-fy27-growth-projection-to-7-on-strong-q1-pe) ## Net direct tax collections grow 13.2% to Rs 13.38 lakh crore while STT revenues jump 51.6% in FY27 ### Key Updates - Direct tax collections after refunds rose 13.2% year-on-year to Rs 13.38 lakh crore as of October 14, meeting 49.6% of the Budget's Rs 26.97 lakh crore direct tax target for FY27. - Gross direct tax collections up to October 14 rose 14.9% year-on-year to Rs 16.03 lakh crore, higher than the 11.4% growth projected in the Budget for FY27. - Securities Transaction Tax (STT) collections rose 51.6% to Rs 46,840 crore till October 14, against a Budget projection of Rs 73,700 crore (15.8% growth) for FY27, aided partly by higher STT rates on equity derivatives effective April 2026. - Corporate tax collections after refunds rose 20.6% year-on-year to Rs 5.99 lakh crore, achieving 49% of the FY27 Budget target of Rs 12.31 lakh crore. - Non-corporate tax collections after refunds rose 5.8% year-on-year to Rs 6.92 lakh crore; before refunds they rose 11.5% to Rs 8.03 lakh crore, with refunds jumping 67% as of October 14. - Total refunds in FY27 up to October 14 stood at Rs 2,65,199.14 crore, a 24.22% jump from Rs 2,13,491.41 crore in the same period of FY26. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [India’s Direct Tax Buoyancy Stays Above 1 for Third Year](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-direct-tax-buoyancy-stays-above-1-for-third-year) - [Income Tax Day 2026 observed on July 24](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/income-tax-day-2026-observed-on-july-24) - [India’s Net Direct Tax Collections Rise 16.4% to ₹6.51 Lakh Crore as of July 13](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/india-s-net-direct-tax-collections-rise-16-4-to-6-51-lakh-crore-as-of-july-13) - [India's central tax collections decline in August 2026 as direct tax receipts fall sharply](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-central-tax-collections-decline-in-august-2026-as-direct-tax-receipts-fa) ## National Statistics Office data shows India's unemployment rate steady at 5% in September 2026 ### Key Updates - India's overall unemployment rate for persons aged 15 years and above remained stable at 5% in September 2026, as per the National Statistics Office (NSO) Periodic Labour Force Survey. - The overall unemployment rate was 5.2% in September 2025, while rural unemployment stood at 4.2% and urban unemployment at 6.9% in September 2026. - Male unemployment rate remained stable at 4.9% and female unemployment rate was broadly stable at 5.2% in September 2026. - Rural female unemployment rate stood at 3.9%, its lowest level in 2026, while urban female unemployment rate rose from 8.9% to 9.2%. - The Labour Force Participation Rate for persons aged 15 years and above stood at 55.5% in September 2026, up 0.2 percentage points year-on-year. - Female Labour Force Participation Rate rose 0.5 percentage points year-on-year to 34.6%, and the Worker Population Ratio rose 0.3 percentage points to 52.7% in September 2026. - The monthly estimates are based on information collected from 3,70,513 persons surveyed across India. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Unemployment Dips to 5% as LFPR Climbs to 55.6% in August: PLFS Data](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/unemployment-dips-to-5-as-lfpr-climbs-to-55-6-in-august-plfs-data) - [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Releases PLFS Quarterly Bulletin for April-June 2026; Unemployment Rate at 5.4%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/ministry-of-statistics-and-programme-implementation-mospi-releases-plfs-quarterl) - [India Retail Inflation Climbs to 5.54% in September 2026 as Food Inflation Hits 7.74%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-retail-inflation-climbs-to-5-54-in-september-2026-as-food-inflation-hits-7) - [National Statistics Office (NSO) Releases PLFS Monthly Bulletin: Unemployment Rate Drops to 5.1% in July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/national-statistics-office-nso-releases-plfs-monthly-bulletin-unemployment-rate) ## India's banking system deposits touch record ₹284 trillion on RBI dollar swap inflows ### Key Updates - India's banking system deposits hit a record ₹284 trillion (about $2.99 trillion) in the second half of September, as per Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data. - The RBI's discounted dollar swap window, announced in June to attract foreign-currency deposits, drew inflows of around $133 billion and closed on August 31, a month earlier than planned. - Deposits rose by ₹21.67 trillion in the first six months of the financial year, with ₹20 trillion added between June 16 and August 31. - The fortnight ended September 30 saw deposit inflows of ₹7.73 trillion as lenders built funding buffers before the quarter-end. - Overall deposits at September-end were up 8.4% compared with March-end. - CareEdge Ratings said the October rate hike rules out further cuts in term deposit rates for now and is likely to push them up. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [ICRA: Gold and vehicle loans drive record ₹1.47 trillion securitisation volumes in H1 FY27](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/icra-gold-and-vehicle-loans-drive-record-1-47-trillion-securitisation-volumes-in) - [RBI Grants Scheduled Bank Status to Coastal Local Area Bank](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/rbi-grants-scheduled-bank-status-to-coastal-local-area-bank) - [Reserve Bank of India allows bank deposits in CAS and enables account aggregator interoperability](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-allows-bank-deposits-in-cas-and-enables-account-aggregator) - [Bank Credit Rises 19.4% Year-on-Year in H1 FY27 as Credit-to-Deposit Ratio Hits 81%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/bank-credit-rises-19-4-year-on-year-in-h1-fy27-as-credit-to-deposit-ratio-hits-8) ## Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarifies scope of 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve requirement on rupee-linked derivative contracts ### Key Updates - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued FAQs clarifying that the 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve (FERR) requirement applies to rupee-linked derivative contracts where users buy foreign currency against the rupee, notional value exceeds $2 million equivalent, and the transaction hedges current account exposures. - Contracts with notional value of $2 million equivalent or less are exempt from the FERR requirement, and dealers must guard against structuring transactions to circumvent the threshold. - Transactions where users sell foreign currency against the rupee, contracts not involving the rupee, and derivatives hedging capital account transactions are outside the FERR scope. - The reserve equals 20% of the rupee equivalent of the notional value; for a $10 million contract at Rs 95 per dollar, the FERR would be Rs 19 crore. - The reserve must be maintained daily in the authorised dealer's current account with the RBI, does not earn interest, and does not qualify as high-quality liquid assets (HQLA) under the liquidity coverage ratio framework. - Interest payments on external commercial borrowings, coupons on resident debt instruments held by non-residents, and dividends payable to non-resident investors are exempt from the requirement for users. - The rules apply only to contracts entered after the directions issued on October 10 and October 12; rolled-over pre-existing contracts are treated as fresh contracts and attract the requirement. - Authorised dealers must report FERR details daily through the RBI's Centralised Information Management System (CIMS) by 5 pm on the following working day. - The FERR requirement does not apply to foreign currency derivative contracts involving the rupee undertaken by authorised dealers with the RBI. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [RBI Forex Swap Facility Attracts Over $20.7 Billion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/rbi-forex-swap-facility-attracts-over-20-7-billion) - [RBI expands 20% forex risk reserve to banks' own hedges and restricts rupee NDFs to hedging only](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/rbi-expands-20-forex-risk-reserve-to-banks-own-hedges-and-restricts-rupee-ndfs-t) - [Reserve Bank of India finalises counterparty credit risk framework with ₹25,000 crore threshold for SA-CCR applicability](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-finalises-counterparty-credit-risk-framework-with-25-000-c) - [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) imposes curbs on forex derivative contracts and opens special dollar window for three public sector OMCs](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-imposes-curbs-on-forex-derivative-contracts-and-opens) ## India empowers tax authorities to deny treaty benefits on Mauritius-routed investments under Principal Purpose Test ### Key Updates - India's finance ministry notified amendments to the India-Mauritius Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement (DTAA) introducing a Principal Purpose Test (PPT), allowing denial of treaty benefits if obtaining tax relief was one of the principal purposes of a transaction. - The protocol, signed in March 2024, came into force on August 10, 2026. - Mauritius accounts for approximately $185.21 billion, or about 23.82%, of India's cumulative FDI equity inflows from April 2000 through December 2025, per DPIIT data. - Relief may still be available if granting it is consistent with the object and purpose of the relevant treaty provisions. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Central Board of Direct Taxes amends Form 161 to extend penalty waiver route to income misreporting cases](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/central-board-of-direct-taxes-amends-form-161-to-extend-penalty-waiver-route-to) - [EPFO Amnesty Scheme, 2026: One-Time Retrospective Regularisation of Exempt Status for PF Trusts with 28 December 2026 Deadline](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/epfo-amnesty-scheme-2026-one-time-retrospective-regularisation-of-exempt-status) - [Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026: Government-Backed Savings with Tax Benefits for Girl Child](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/sukanya-samriddhi-yojana-2026-government-backed-savings-with-tax-benefits-for-gi) - [Ministry of Finance (MoF) tightens India-Sri Lanka tax treaty with anti-abuse rule](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/ministry-of-finance-mof-tightens-india-sri-lanka-tax-treaty-with-anti-abuse-rule) ## World Bank Group Mobilises $36 Billion Private Capital in India Over Four Years, Including $9.6 Billion for MSMEs ### Key Updates - The World Bank Group has helped mobilise $36 billion in private capital for development in India over the past four years, including $9.6 billion for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs). - Private capital mobilisation by the Group rose nearly five-fold to $14.5 billion in fiscal 2026 from about $3 billion in fiscal 2022, per Manuel Reyes-Retana, IFC's division director for South Asia. - Guarantees from the International Finance Corporation (IFC) and the Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) help reduce investment risks and attract private funding. - Under the $436 million Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme, the World Bank supported reforms to the Trade Receivables Discounting System (TReDS), a digital platform allowing businesses to raise funds against unpaid invoices. - The TReDS initiative has helped over 250,000 MSMEs gain faster access to capital, with 30 non-banking financial companies joining the platform. - Credit guarantees for women-owned businesses rose to 18 per cent from 14 per cent over two years, mobilising more than $1 billion. - India's first Green MSME Guarantee Fund has benefited more than 4,000 MSMEs and supported $40 million in investments in green and circular-economy activities. - Under its Country Partnership Framework for fiscal 2026-31, the World Bank Group is focusing on inclusive and sustainable growth in support of India's Viksit Bharat vision for 2047. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [David Vaillant named Managing Director and CFO of World Bank Group](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/david-vaillant-named-managing-director-and-cfo-of-world-bank-group) - [World Bank Approves Kerala's Carbon Cell Plan for Farmers Under Rs 2,365 Crore KERA Project](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/world-bank-approves-kerala-s-carbon-cell-plan-for-farmers-under-rs-2-365-crore-k) - [Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw Launches World Bank Group's World Development Report 2026 on Artificial Intelligence in New Delhi](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/union-minister-ashwini-vaishnaw-launches-world-bank-group-s-world-development-re) - [World Bank Places India Among Top 10 Emerging Markets on AI Readiness](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/world-bank-places-india-among-top-10-emerging-markets-on-ai-readiness) ## SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey outlines LODR and SME framework reviews, corporate bond measures and investor access reforms at FE Modern BFSI Summit 2026 ### Key Updates - Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey announced at the Financial Express Modern BFSI Summit 2026 in Mumbai that the regulator's next priorities are simpler rules, deeper markets, responsible innovation and wider access. - SEBI is undertaking a comprehensive review of the Listing Obligations and Disclosure Requirements (LODR) framework and has proposed stronger monitoring of issue proceeds with greater transparency and accountability. - SEBI is reviewing the SME framework to help genuine enterprises raise capital while ensuring investor safeguards, and a working group on harmonising rules for investment advisers and mutual fund distributors has submitted its recommendations. - India's market capitalisation has grown nearly fivefold to Rs 472 lakh crore, unique investors have crossed 15 crore, and mutual fund assets have reached around Rs 83 lakh crore. - Foreign portfolio investors hold around Rs 74 lakh crore in Indian equities and debt. - The International Monetary Fund's latest World Economic Outlook projects global growth of 3.1% in 2026, against India's projected growth of 7% in each of the next two financial years. - SEBI has discontinued 52 overlapping mutual fund reports and notices, simplified compliance reporting for stock brokers and rationalised penalties across exchanges. - Under the Garuda framework, SEBI reduced the timeline for launching regular alternative investment fund (AIF) schemes from 30 days to 10 working days, with eligible schemes launchable immediately upon filing. - SEBI is reviewing short-selling rules and the securities lending and borrowing mechanism, developing a market-making framework for corporate bonds, and has proposed fixed-income channel partners to widen retail access through regulated online bond platforms. - SEBI has proposed net settlement of funds for mutual fund schemes to reduce funding costs and improve settlement efficiency. - SEBI is exploring distributed ledger technology for tokenised corporate bond issuance and settlement through DMAAT 2.4 pilots, and Phase 2 of EMAP 2.0 will enable secondary-market trading of tokenised corporate bonds. - T+1 settlement, clearing interoperability, pledge and re-pledge of securities, upstreaming of client funds and direct payout of securities have strengthened investor protection, while AI-based tools including the Suptak platform flag compliance gaps and suspicious financial promotions. - SEBI has strengthened business continuity, disaster recovery and cyber resilience requirements, and exchanges have set up market security operations centres (MSOCs) providing affordable cybersecurity services to market participants. - SEBI plans simpler digital onboarding, easier KYC procedures and streamlined documentation for global investors, including non-resident Indians (NRIs). - SEBI is exploring an artificial intelligence sandbox to test applications in a controlled environment, assess risks and provide regulatory clarity to innovators. - SEBI's Investor Survey 2025 found that only 36% of investors had moderate to high knowledge of securities markets. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Securities and Exchange Board of India proposes market capitalisation-based SME IPO eligibility and halves minimum application size to ₹1 lakh](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-proposes-market-capitalisation-based-sme) - [SEBI Launches Nationwide Investor Awareness Campaign Project Jagrook Until March 2027](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-launches-nationwide-investor-awareness-campaign-project-jagrook-until-march) - [Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) launches Incident Reporting and Cyber Suraksha Portals to strengthen cybersecurity incident reporting](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi-launches-incident-reporting-and-cybe) - [Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) notifies new Portfolio Management Services framework with wider investment avenues and PRIM route](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/securities-and-exchange-board-of-india-sebi-notifies-new-portfolio-management-se) ## Sebi seeks Irdai's help to add insurance details to consolidated account statements ### Key Updates - Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) has written to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (Irdai) chairman seeking inclusion of insurance-related information in the consolidated account statement, Sebi chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey said on Thursday. - Currently, the consolidated account statement covers securities holdings, mutual funds, stocks across brokers, and the National Pension System (NPS). - Following the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announcement that Sebi-regulated depositories could access bank deposit information continuously, Sebi is working on technical details for incorporating such information. - Sebi has sent nearly 440 million investor awareness messages over the last nine days. - Sebi is examining proposals to strengthen the securities lending and borrowing mechanism, with a working group evaluating proposals and a consultation paper to be issued once finalised. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Dinesh Pant and Girija Subramanian Appointed as Members of IRDAI](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/dinesh-pant-and-girija-subramanian-appointed-as-members-of-irdai) - [SEBI Proposes Mandatory Monitoring Agency for All Public Issues with Rs 50,000 Fine for Non-Cooperation](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-proposes-mandatory-monitoring-agency-for-all-public-issues-with-rs-50-000-f) - [IRDAI data shows life insurers’ first-year premium grew 20.6% to ₹2.46 lakh crore in April–September FY26](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/irdai-data-shows-life-insurers-first-year-premium-grew-20-6-to-2-46-lakh-crore-i) - [Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) proposes Public Insurance Registry as Digital Public Infrastructure](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/insurance-regulatory-and-development-authority-of-india-irdai-proposes-public-in) ## GST Council's Law Committee recommends raising prosecution threshold to ₹10 crore and reducing jail terms ### Key Updates - The GST Council's Law Committee has proposed raising the monetary threshold for prosecution under GST law to ₹10 crore from the existing ₹5 crore, which was last revised in 2017. - The Committee proposed reducing the maximum imprisonment for tax evasion in the ₹5 crore-₹10 crore range to two years from the current three years. - The proposals include giving courts greater discretion to award imprisonment, a fine, or both, based on the nature and severity of the offence. - The proposals will be placed before the GST Council at its October 7 meeting. - The Law Committee could not reach a consensus on whether the power to arrest under the GST law should be retained, leaving the final decision to the GST Council. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Union Cabinet approves Anti-Paper Leak Bill with up to 10-year jail and Rs 10 crore fine](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/union-cabinet-approves-anti-paper-leak-bill-with-up-to-10-year-jail-and-rs-10-cr) - [GST Council's 57th meeting widens input tax credit scope, eases exporter refunds and small-business compliance, and introduces faceless central GST administration](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/gst-council-s-57th-meeting-widens-input-tax-credit-scope-eases-exporter-refunds) - [GST Council Proposes 2% TDS on Specified Waste and Scrap Transactions](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/gst-council-proposes-2-tds-on-specified-waste-and-scrap-transactions) - [GST Council's 57th Meeting Recommends Arrest Power Removal, Higher Prosecution Threshold and Faster Refunds](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/gst-council-s-57th-meeting-recommends-arrest-power-removal-higher-prosecution-th) ## Supreme Court affirms Bombay High Court order voiding Yes Bank's ₹8,415-crore AT1 bond write-off ### Key Updates - The Supreme Court upheld the Bombay High Court's January 20, 2023 judgment setting aside Yes Bank's ₹8,415-crore Additional Tier 1 (AT1) bond write-off announced on March 14, 2020, dismissing appeals by Yes Bank, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Union government. - A Bench of Justices Dipankar Datta and Augustine George Masih ruled that the bank's administrator lacked legal authority to write down the AT1 bonds after the final reconstruction scheme took effect on March 13, 2020, as the write-down provision had been removed from the approved scheme. - The court held that AT1 bonds had to be written down or converted before the reconstruction scheme commenced, not after, and that annual coupon payments must continue per the relevant information memoranda. - The dispute began after the RBI placed Yes Bank under a moratorium on March 5, 2020, and framed a reconstruction scheme under the Banking Regulation Act, 1949; the write-off was challenged by Axis Trustee Services Limited and other bondholders. - The Supreme Court observed that Yes Bank had sold high-risk AT1 bonds to individual investors despite RBI rules restricting their distribution to specified investor categories. - AT1 bonds are perpetual debt instruments issued by banks to strengthen core capital and absorb losses during financial distress. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Reserve Bank of India Issues Twelfth Amendment Directions, 2026 on Prudential Norms for Commercial Banks' Capital Adequacy](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-issues-twelfth-amendment-directions-2026-on-prudential-nor) - [Reserve Bank of India Approves Anup Bagchi as HDFC Bank MD & CEO After 90-Day Governance Reset](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-approves-anup-bagchi-as-hdfc-bank-md-and-ceo-after-90-day) - [Supreme Court upholds Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing 34% Backward Classes quota in local bodies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/supreme-court-upholds-andhra-pradesh-high-court-order-quashing-34-backward-class) - [Reserve Bank of India Issues Sixth Amendment Directions, 2026 on Small Finance Banks' Prudential Capital Adequacy Norms](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-issues-sixth-amendment-directions-2026-on-small-finance-ba) ## International Monetary Fund (IMF) endorses India's revised GDP calculation methodology as consistent with good practices ### Key Updates - The International Monetary Fund (IMF) on October 15, 2026 said India's updated GDP calculation methodology aligns with best practices and is entirely consistent with IMF advice, calling the base revision a 'welcome development'. - Krishna Srinivasan, Director of the IMF's Asia and Pacific Department, made the remarks in Bangkok and noted India had issued a note explaining the revisions to the GDP methodology. - Srinivasan acknowledged the work of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI) in improving GDP statistics, while stating there is always room for improvement. - The IMF raised India's GDP growth forecast for 2026-27 to 7% from 6.4% projected in July, citing stronger-than-expected economic momentum, resilient domestic demand and robust services activity, and raised the 2027-28 forecast by 0.3 percentage points to 7%. - The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) raised its GDP growth estimate for the current financial year to 7.1% at its latest monetary policy meeting. - Srinivasan said pressure on India's exchange rate after the energy shock reflects global interest rates, investor risk appetite and oil prices, and does not indicate a disconnect with economic growth. - A political dispute arose after India reported 7.8% GDP growth for the April-June quarter; former Finance Secretary SC Garg alleged previous year's data was compressed to inflate growth, while Chief Economic Advisor V Anantha Nageswaran called his approach 'cherry-picking' and said the new base year is the financial year ending March 2023. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) Clarifies Negative Manufacturing Deflator in GDP Methodology](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-statistics-and-programme-implementation-mospi-clarifies-negative-man) - [International Monetary Fund Backs India’s Push to Modernise Macroeconomic Statistics](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/international-monetary-fund-backs-india-s-push-to-modernise-macroeconomic-statis) - [Statistics Ministry Unveils Manual for States to Compute GDP via Expenditure Approach](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/statistics-ministry-unveils-manual-for-states-to-compute-gdp-via-expenditure-app) - [International Monetary Fund Lifts India’s FY27 GDP Growth Projection to 7% in Latest World Economic Outlook](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/international-monetary-fund-lifts-india-s-fy27-gdp-growth-projection-to-7-in-lat) ## India's Merchandise Exports Surge 23% to US$44.40 Billion in September 2026; Combined Goods and Services Exports Touch US$476.20 Billion in April-September 2026-27 ### Key Updates - India's merchandise exports rose 23.04% year-on-year to US$44.40 billion in September 2026, up from US$36.08 billion in September 2025, while merchandise imports grew 8% to US$74.61 billion, narrowing the merchandise trade deficit to US$30.21 billion from US$33.00 billion. - India's total exports (merchandise and services combined) for September 2026 are estimated at US$80.75 billion, up 10.99% from US$72.76 billion in September 2025, while total imports rose 8.19% to US$94.05 billion, leaving a total trade balance of -US$13.30 billion. - Cumulative exports (merchandise and services) during April-September 2026-27 are estimated at US$476.20 billion, up 13.84% from US$418.31 billion in April-September 2025-26, while total imports rose 15.68% to US$551.13 billion, widening the overall trade balance to -US$74.93 billion from -US$58.10 billion. - Merchandise exports during April-September 2026-27 stood at US$259.89 billion, up 18.51% from US$219.30 billion, while merchandise imports rose to US$437.53 billion from US$376.17 billion, widening the merchandise trade deficit to US$177.64 billion from US$156.88 billion. - Services exports for September 2026 are estimated at US$36.35 billion, slightly down from US$36.67 billion in September 2025, while services imports rose to US$19.44 billion from US$17.84 billion; cumulative services exports for April-September 2026-27 are estimated at US$216.31 billion, up 8.69%, with a services trade surplus of US$102.71 billion. - Key drivers of September 2026 merchandise export growth were Electronic Goods (up 70.44% to US$5.31 billion), Petroleum Products (up 31.90% to US$6.22 billion), Organic & Inorganic Chemicals (up 24.21% to US$2.94 billion), Engineering Goods (up 20.91% to US$12.17 billion), and Cotton Yarn/Fabs./Made-Ups and Handloom Products (up 20.76% to US$1.12 billion). - Cumulative Non-Petroleum exports in April-September 2026-27 were valued at US$218.70 billion, registering a 15.56% increase over US$189.26 billion in April-September 2025-26. - Non-petroleum and non-gems & jewellery exports in September 2026 were US$34.81 billion, compared to US$28.53 billion in September 2025. - Top five export destinations showing positive growth in September 2026 over September 2025 were Singapore (169.16%), Malaysia (119.69%), Egypt (90.09%), USA (47.99%), and China (24.05%). - India's merchandise exports to the United States rose to around US$51 billion during April-September 2026-27, up from US$45.73 billion in the corresponding period last year, supported by higher shipments of electronic goods, petroleum products, engineering goods, chemicals and agricultural products. - Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal stated that negotiations for the proposed India-US trade agreement are moving in the right direction, with both countries working towards concluding the deal at the earliest. - Overall export growth reached 15.84% in Q2 FY27, compared to 11.84% in Q1, with total overall exports (goods and services) estimated at US$242.60 billion in July-September 2026, the highest ever recorded for a second quarter, up from US$233.60 billion in April-June. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Ministry of Commerce: India's Combined Merchandise and Services Exports Grow 15.5% to USD 399.27 Billion in April-August 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-commerce-india-s-combined-merchandise-and-services-exports-grow-15-5) - [India’s Exports Reach USD 232.73 Billion in Q1 FY27: MoC&I Data](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/india-s-exports-reach-usd-232-73-billion-in-q1-fy27-moc-and-i-data) - [Ministry of Commerce & Industry (MoCI) data: India's total exports increased 13.31% to USD 80.14 billion in July 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/ministry-of-commerce-and-industry-moci-data-india-s-total-exports-increased-13-3) ## CEA's Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria 2026 mandates full grid-connection redundancy for critical facilities ### Key Updates - The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) released the Manual on Transmission Planning Criteria, 2026 on October 15, 2026, requiring large consumers such as railways, metro rail systems, refineries, steel plants, hospitals and data centres to plan grid connections with 100 per cent redundancy. - The manual says connections should, as far as possible, be from two different sources of supply, since two feeders sharing common upstream infrastructure would not provide meaningful redundancy. - CEA Chairman Ghanshyam Prasad said the manual was brought out against the backdrop of rapid transformation in the power sector, including integration of variable renewable energy, longer-distance transmission, rising fault levels and right-of-way issues. - Prasad noted that while the 765 kV transmission system has developed well, there is now a need for 1150 kV ultra high voltage AC (UHVAC) transmission, which offers higher power transfer, lower losses and helps deal with right-of-way issues. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Qualcomm Teams Up with Amazon to Build Custom AI Chips for AWS Data Centres](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/qualcomm-teams-up-with-amazon-to-build-custom-ai-chips-for-aws-data-centres) - [Central Electricity Authority notifies Cyber Security in Power Sector Regulations, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/central-electricity-authority-notifies-cyber-security-in-power-sector-regulation) - [Mumbai-Ahmedabad bullet train project completes portal beam work over Delhi-Mumbai Rajdhani line in Vadodara](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/mumbai-ahmedabad-bullet-train-project-completes-portal-beam-work-over-delhi-mumb) - [Cabinet approves Green Energy Corridor Phase III with nearly Rs 1.9 lakh crore outlay for 51,126 ckm transmission lines and 50 GWh battery storage](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/cabinet-approves-green-energy-corridor-phase-iii-with-nearly-rs-1-9-lakh-crore-o) ## DoT Issues Strict National Security Guidelines for Satellite Internet Providers in India ### Key Updates - The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) under the Ministry of Communications has issued comprehensive security requirements for all Unified Licensees providing Global Mobile Personal Communications by Satellite (GMPCS) services in India, applicable to all operators including but not specific to Starlink. - Critical network infrastructure — Network Control and Monitoring Centres (NCMC), satellite gateways, Points of Presence (PoPs) and user data routing controls — must be physically located within India. - Operators must integrate their Lawful Interception Systems (LIS/LIM) with the Centralised Monitoring System (CMS) and Integrated Monitoring System (IMS), and demonstrate interception capabilities before starting commercial services. - User terminals cannot access the network outside designated geo-fenced boundaries; Indian-registered terminals are barred from foreign gateways, all user traffic must pass through Indian gateways, and direct terminal-to-terminal satellite communication bypassing domestic gateways is prohibited. - Providers must maintain Call Detail Records (CDRs) and Internet Protocol Detail Records (IPDRs) capturing latitude and longitude, device identifiers, IMEI numbers, MSISDNs, and public and private IP addresses, keeping such records within India. - For terminals in motion, location changes must be reported after every 2.6 km of movement or every minute, and location-spoofing hardware or software is prohibited. - Licensees must submit a phased, year-wise manufacturing programme to achieve at least 20 percent indigenisation of ground-segment equipment within five years of launching commercial operations. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI) Hosts APNIC 62 in Mumbai from 4 to 10 September 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/national-internet-exchange-of-india-nixi-hosts-apnic-62-in-mumbai-from-4-to-10-s) - [IN-SPACe issues authorisation framework for hosted payloads on Indian and foreign satellites](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/in-space-issues-authorisation-framework-for-hosted-payloads-on-indian-and-foreig) - [No monopoly in India; satcom firms must clear security norms before launch: Communications Minister Scindia](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/no-monopoly-in-india-satcom-firms-must-clear-security-norms-before-launch-commun) - [NIXI and APNIC Sign Agreement to Boost IPv6 Adoption and Routing Security at APNIC 62 in Mumbai](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/nixi-and-apnic-sign-agreement-to-boost-ipv6-adoption-and-routing-security-at-apn) ## Piyush Goyal Inaugurates National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC) in New Delhi for Data-Driven Trade Governance ### Key Updates - Union Commerce and Industry Minister Shri Piyush Goyal launched the National Strategic Trade Command Centre (NSTCC) at Vanijya Bhawan, New Delhi, on 15 October 2026, in the presence of Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal and DGFT Director General Lav Agarwal. - NSTCC was developed by the Department of Commerce, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, to strengthen monitoring, analysis and governance of India's international trade through integrated data analytics and evidence-based decision-making. - In its initial phase, NSTCC brings together dashboards covering key DGFT functions including Importer Exporter Code (IEC), Advance Authorisation, Export Promotion Capital Goods (EPCG), Certificate of Origin (CoO), SCOMET, and restricted imports and exports. - NSTCC is designed to support three dimensions of trade governance: Integrated Monitoring, Performance Assessment, and Evidence-Based Policy Inputs. - While reviewing the SCOMET (Special Chemicals, Organisms, Materials, Equipment and Technologies) dashboard, Goyal called for regular Inter-Ministerial Committee meetings, weekly if required, to clear pending applications expeditiously. - NSTCC leverages existing digital infrastructure including DGFT systems and the Trade Connect ePlatform, and is envisaged to evolve into a whole-of-government decision-support mechanism with phased access for ministries, states and Export Promotion Councils. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [India and United Kingdom Hold 16th JETCO Meeting in New Delhi, Agree to Double Bilateral Trade by 2030 Under CETA](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-and-united-kingdom-hold-16th-jetco-meeting-in-new-delhi-agree-to-double-bi) - [Centre Launches Global Trade Guidebook for MSMEs](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/centre-launches-global-trade-guidebook-for-msmes) - [Piyush Goyal Says Uttar Pradesh Aims to Raise Annual Exports to ₹5 Lakh Crore by 2030](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/piyush-goyal-says-uttar-pradesh-aims-to-raise-annual-exports-to-5-lakh-crore-by) - [United Kingdom and India unveil over £1 billion in commercial deals at first JETCO meeting after CETA implementation](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/united-kingdom-and-india-unveil-over-1-billion-in-commercial-deals-at-first-jetc) ## DoT mandates Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) on 4G and newer networks from November 1, 2026 ### Key Updates - The Department of Telecommunications (DoT), through a circular dated October 13, 2026, directed telecom operators to roll out Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) across 4G and newer wireless networks from November 1, 2026, without requiring users to make a separate activation request. - CNAP will display the caller's phone number along with the name drawn from the originating operator's subscriber database, but if the number is saved in the recipient's contacts, the saved name takes priority. - Unsaved international calls will display 'International Call' instead of the caller's name; an international call is defined as one originating in one country and terminating in another, where one of the countries is India. - Callers who have opted for Calling Line Identification Restriction (CLIR) under existing guidelines will not have their names displayed. - The initial rollout covers 4G and newer networks; implementation on 2G, 3G networks and landline (public switched telephone network) services will be examined separately. - Businesses and bulk-connection users may display a 'preferred name' instead of their subscriber-record name, provided it is a trademark registered with the Trade Marks Registry or a trade name registered on the GST portal, verified by the originating operator. - Operators must adopt a 'security-by-design' approach ensuring the caller's name is not retained after the call ends, and must resolve CNAP-related complaints through grievance redressal mechanisms within a time-bound period. - The circular cites TRAI's recommendations dated February 23, 2024, and earlier DoT instructions dated November 21, 2025 on KYC issues, which it supersedes, and references the Telecommunications (Authorisation for Provision of Principal Telecommunication Services) Rules, 2026. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issues new loan recovery rules effective January 1, 2027](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-issues-new-loan-recovery-rules-effective-january-1-202) - [UIDAI issues revised SOP categorising Aadhaar name updates with new documentation requirements](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/uidai-issues-revised-sop-categorising-aadhaar-name-updates-with-new-documentatio) - [PhonePe Launches UPI 123Pay to Serve Over 200 Million Feature Phone Users](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/phonepe-launches-upi-123pay-to-serve-over-200-million-feature-phone-users) - [Telecom Regulatory Authority of India Updates Anti-Spam Regulations with AI Integration](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/telecom-regulatory-authority-of-india-updates-anti-spam-regulations-with-ai-inte) ## Karnataka Records 2.04 Crore Person-Days of Employment Under VB-G RAM G Rural Scheme ### Key Updates - Karnataka generated a record 2.04 crore person-days of employment under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, scheme between July 1 and October 13, 2026, up from 1.71 crore person-days under MGNREGA in the same period last year. - VB-G RAM G, which replaced MGNREGA, was implemented in Karnataka from July 1, 2026. - Raichur district topped the state with 24 lakh person-days, followed by Bidar with 21 lakh and Koppal with 18 lakh person-days. - Employment generation rose 340 per cent in Vijayanagara, 257 per cent in Kalaburagi, 207 per cent in Koppal, 175 per cent in Ballari and 173 per cent in Bidar compared with the previous year. - A total of 87,164 new job cards were issued in the state this year, along with e-KYC verification of MGNREGA job cards and job card camps. - Under VB-G RAM G, each family is eligible for up to 125 days of employment a year at a wage of Rs 382 per day for both men and women, allowing a rural household to earn up to Rs 47,750 annually at full employment. - The scheme covers works such as desilting of lakes, social forestry, rejuvenation of canals, lakes and ponds, cattle sheds, farm ponds, soil-erosion prevention, compost pits and rural roads, and has been expanded to include house construction, community halls and rural bus stands. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Government Allocates Record ₹95,692 Crore for Rural Employment Under VB-G RAM G Act, 2025](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/government-allocates-record-95-692-crore-for-rural-employment-under-vb-g-ram-g-a) - [Karnataka CM Announces 'Vidyarthi Sahayahasta' Scheme with 7.5% Reservation for Rural Students](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/karnataka-cm-announces-vidyarthi-sahayahasta-scheme-with-7-5-reservation-for-rur) - [Karnataka Cabinet Approves Sandhya Kiran Cashless Healthcare Scheme for Pensioners](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/karnataka-cabinet-approves-sandhya-kiran-cashless-healthcare-scheme-for-pensione) - [Centre notifies 375 permissible works under VB-G RAM G, widening the list by 41%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/centre-notifies-375-permissible-works-under-vb-g-ram-g-widening-the-list-by-41) ## India's Defence Ministry signs Rs 4,106 crore deals for GSAT-7C satellite and Varunastra torpedoes ### Key Updates - The Ministry of Defence signed contracts worth approximately Rs 4,106 crore on October 15, 2026 in New Delhi, in the presence of Additional Secretary and Director General (Acquisition) Shri A Anbarasu. - A Rs 2,563 crore contract for the GSAT-7C communication satellite for the Indian Air Force was signed with New Space India Limited, Bengaluru; the indigenously designed satellite will enhance secure and seamless communication for IAF assets. - A Rs 1,543 crore contract for Varunastra Heavy Weight Torpedoes for the Indian Navy was signed with Bharat Dynamics Limited, Hyderabad. - Varunastra is an indigenous ship-launched anti-submarine torpedo developed by the Naval Science and Technological Laboratory, capable of engaging enemy submarines at long ranges. - The contracts align with the Government's 'Aatmanirbhar Bharat' and 'Make-in-India' vision for self-reliance in critical defence technologies. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [India Signs Rs 1,577 Crore Loiter Munition System Contracts with TASL and NIBE on August 14, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-signs-rs-1-577-crore-loiter-munition-system-contracts-with-tasl-and-nibe-o) - [India's Ministry of Defence Signs Rs 661.50 Crore BrahMos Systems Contract with BrahMos Aerospace for Navy Warships](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-ministry-of-defence-signs-rs-661-50-crore-brahmos-systems-contract-with) - [India signs Rs 1,577 crore loitering munition contracts with TASL and NIBE on August 14, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-signs-rs-1-577-crore-loitering-munition-contracts-with-tasl-and-nibe-on-au) - [Mazagon Dock Inks ₹15,000 Crore MoU with NSHIP-AP for Greenfield Shipyard in Andhra Pradesh](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/mazagon-dock-inks-15-000-crore-mou-with-nship-ap-for-greenfield-shipyard-in-andh) ## Indian Coast Guard Adds Indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter MK-III at Ratnagiri Air Station ### Key Updates - The Indian Coast Guard inducted the indigenous Advanced Light Helicopter (ALH) MK-III, aircraft CG 875, into Coast Guard Region (West) at Ratnagiri, Maharashtra on October 13, 2026. - CG 875 is the first of five ALH MK-III aircraft allotted to 831 Sqn (CG) at Ratnagiri. - The helicopter features Advanced Radar, an Electro Optical Pod with long-range imaging and identification, and an Automatic Identification System. - The aircraft is armed with a cabin-mounted 12.7 mm Heavy Machine Gun for target neutralisation. - The induction enhances the Indian Coast Guard's surveillance and response capability within the Exclusive Economic Zone along the Maharashtra coast. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Indian Coast Guard Commissions Goa Shipyard-Built Fast Patrol Vessel ICGS Ajit on October 9, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indian-coast-guard-commissions-goa-shipyard-built-fast-patrol-vessel-icgs-ajit-o) - [India's indigenous Light Utility Helicopter reaches final certification stage for Army and IAF induction](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-indigenous-light-utility-helicopter-reaches-final-certification-stage-fo) - [Indian Navy to Commission Indigenous Multi-Purpose Vessel Samarthak at Karwar on October 16, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indian-navy-to-commission-indigenous-multi-purpose-vessel-samarthak-at-karwar-on) ## Indian Navy Ends First-Ever Command of Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 154 at Bahrain Ceremony ### Key Updates - The Indian Navy relinquished Command of Combined Task Force 154 (CTF 154) of the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) at a ceremony in Manama, Bahrain, on 14 October 2026, completing its maiden command of a CMF Task Force. - The Indian Navy had assumed Command of CTF 154 on 11 February 2026, becoming the first Indian Navy contingent to lead a CMF Task Force, with Commodore Milind M Mokashi handing over to Commander Melissa Desjardins. - CTF 154, established in May 2023, is CMF's dedicated multinational maritime training Task Force for enhancing professional competencies, interoperability and capacity development among Partner Nations. - During the tenure, the Indian Navy-led CTF 154 conducted 20 Staff Enhancement Training engagements, two major multinational training exercises and the inaugural Subject Matter Expert Exchange on Piracy and Armed Robbery (SPAR 2026), generating over 7,800 training hours with personnel from 39 countries. - Operation Compass Rose 26-1, held virtually from 20 to 22 April 2026, brought together 137 participants, 11 observers and 21 facilitators from 25 Partner Nations and 13 organisations. - Operation Southern Readiness 26-2, held at the Southern Naval Command, Kochi, from 20 to 23 July 2026, was the first major CMF training exercise hosted by India, with 276 personnel from 27 countries and about 3,800 training hours. - SPAR 2026, conducted on 5 and 6 October 2026, brought together 135 participants from 25 countries with contributions from 19 organisations. - The tenure saw the first dedicated 'Training of Trainers' engagement within the CMF training framework and CMF's first professional engagement with a Judge of the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. - India joined the Combined Maritime Forces as an Associate Partner in 2022 and became a full member in 2023. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Indian Navy to Host Operation Southern Readiness 26-2 in Kochi](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/indian-navy-to-host-operation-southern-readiness-26-2-in-kochi) - [U.S. Central Command announces multinational Task Force Falcon Strike attack drone unit](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/u-s-central-command-announces-multinational-task-force-falcon-strike-attack-dron) ## Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited Supplies 450 Nagastra-1R Loitering Munitions to Indian Army in Largest Single Batch ### Key Updates - Solar Defence and Aerospace Limited (SDAL), the defence arm of Nagpur-based Solar Industries, delivered 450 Nagastra-1R loitering munitions to the Indian Army in a single batch, the largest such supply to the Army so far. - The Indian Army placed the order under emergency procurement after technical trials in which four companies participated, with only SDAL demonstrating all operational parameters. - The Nagastra-1R is configured for short-range operations, built for kamikaze attack mode with an abort-and-recover option allowing the munition to be recalled mid-mission. - Loitering munitions can loiter over an area searching for a target before striking, giving commanders more flexibility than conventional shells or missiles. - The company has not disclosed the munition's range, endurance, warhead type, deployment locations, or the order value, and the Army has not commented on the delivery. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Indigenous Unmanned Systems to be Showcased at Pokhran for Indian Air Force](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/indigenous-unmanned-systems-to-be-showcased-at-pokhran-for-indian-air-force) - [Munitions India, Drogo Aerospace Sign MoU for UAV Systems](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/munitions-india-drogo-aerospace-sign-mou-for-uav-systems) - [India signs Rs 1,577 crore loitering munition contracts with TASL and NIBE on August 14, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-signs-rs-1-577-crore-loitering-munition-contracts-with-tasl-and-nibe-on-au) - [Adani Defence signs five-year AK-203 ammunition deal](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/adani-defence-signs-five-year-ak-203-ammunition-deal) ## IMD declares withdrawal of southwest monsoon nationwide as northeast monsoon sets in over south India ### Key Updates - The India Meteorological Department (IMD) announced that the southwest monsoon withdrew from the entire country on Thursday, October 15, 2026, with northeast monsoon rainfall commencing over parts of south India the same day. - Northeast monsoon activity was witnessed in Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Karaikal, coastal Andhra Pradesh, Rayalaseema, south interior Karnataka, Kerala and Mahe. - The IMD forecast a wet spell with isolated heavy rainfall over many parts of south peninsular India till October 21. - This year's southwest monsoon ended with 759.4 mm of rainfall, 12.6 per cent below the normal of 868.6 mm. - The rainfall deficit has been attributed to El Nino conditions over the tropical Pacific, which emerged in June 2026 and have been strengthening since. - The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has forecast that this year's El Nino is likely to peak in December 2026 and could become the strongest since observations began in 1950, with conditions expected to persist through February 2027. - The southwest monsoon is active from June to September and is crucial for the kharif crop cycle, while the northeast monsoon, also called the retreating monsoon, affects India from October to December and is significant for rabi crops. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Super Typhoon Dolphin in Pacific threatens to weaken India's monsoon rains](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/super-typhoon-dolphin-in-pacific-threatens-to-weaken-india-s-monsoon-rains) - [NCDEX Launches RAINCHNNAI Weather Derivatives Contract for Chennai's Northeast Monsoon](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ncdex-launches-rainchnnai-weather-derivatives-contract-for-chennai-s-northeast-m) ## Asiatic Lions Reoccupy Gujarat's Barda Wildlife Sanctuary After Nearly 144 Years, Study Finds ### Key Updates - Asiatic lions have returned to Barda Wildlife Sanctuary after nearly 144 years, with the last known record there dating back to 1879, according to a study published in PLOS One. - The study, titled 'Beyond Gir: Barda Wildlife Sanctuary as a Potential Stronghold for Asiatic Lions', was conducted by scientists from the Gujarat Forest Department and Banda University of Agriculture and Technology. - Barda Wildlife Sanctuary spans 192.31 sq km in Gujarat's Porbandar and Devbhumi Dwarka districts in the Saurashtra region. - A male lion naturally arrived in 2023, the Gujarat Forest Department introduced five females, and by August 2025 the sanctuary had 17 lions, including six adults and 11 cubs, per the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. - Researchers radio-collared six lions (one male and five females) and estimated their average home range at approximately 70.55 sq km; the lions' diet included wild pigs and domestic cattle, with spotted deer and sambar reintroduced to strengthen the prey base. - According to the 2025 Lion Population Estimation Report, Gujarat recorded 891 Asiatic lions compared with 674 in 2020, an increase of about 32% in five years. - A safari park covering around 248 hectares was announced as a planned project in 2025, and visitors should confirm its operational status with the Gujarat Forest Department before travelling. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [India’s Asiatic Lion Population Reaches 891](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/india-s-asiatic-lion-population-reaches-891) - [Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates WWF Global Conservation Conference in Jaipur with Over 100 Countries Participating](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/bhupender-yadav-inaugurates-wwf-global-conservation-conference-in-jaipur-with-ov) - [Gujarat and Darjeeling Himalayan Railway Feature in Lonely Planet Best in Travel 2027 List](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/gujarat-and-darjeeling-himalayan-railway-feature-in-lonely-planet-best-in-travel) - [20 Blackbucks Released in Gujarat’s Banni Grasslands on Independence Day](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/20-blackbucks-released-in-gujarat-s-banni-grasslands-on-independence-day) ## TDB under DST backs Panacea Medical Technologies to build and commercialise made-in-India 32-slice CT scanner ### Key Updates - The Technology Development Board (TDB), Department of Science & Technology (DST), Government of India, signed an agreement with Panacea Medical Technologies Pvt. Ltd., Malur, Karnataka, to support the development and commercialisation of an indigenous 32-slice Computed Tomography (CT) Scanner under the Make in India initiative. - Panacea Medical Technologies is an Indian medical device manufacturer specialising in radiotherapy and radiology, and the project envisages design, development and deployment of a 32-slice CT scanner for diagnostic imaging across various clinical disciplines. - Medical devices have been identified as a priority sector under the Make in India initiative, and indigenous development of high-end equipment aims to reduce dependence on imported technologies. - Shri Rajesh Kumar Pathak is the Secretary of the Technology Development Board (TDB). ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [ICMR Transfers Indigenous Medical Technologies for Commercialisation](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/icmr-transfers-indigenous-medical-technologies-for-commercialisation) - [Technology Development Board (TDB) Supports AI-Enabled Cervical Cancer Screening Technology](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/technology-development-board-tdb-supports-ai-enabled-cervical-cancer-screening-t) - [TDB under RDI Fund commits ₹86 crore to Peptris' VIGOR programme for AI-driven drug development](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/tdb-under-rdi-fund-commits-86-crore-to-peptris-vigor-programme-for-ai-driven-dru) ## International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 Observed on October 13 with Theme 'Resilience Starts at Home' ### Key Updates - The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction (IDDRR) 2026 is observed on 13 October, with the theme 'Resilience Starts at Home'. - The day was established in 1989 by the United Nations General Assembly and is observed annually on 13 October. - The Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction 2015–2030 was adopted in March 2015 at the Third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction in Sendai, Japan. - The Sendai Framework has four priorities: understanding disaster risk, strengthening disaster risk governance, investing in disaster risk reduction for resilience, and enhancing disaster preparedness with the Build Back Better principle. - The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) frames disaster management policies and coordinates preparedness efforts in India. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [OSDMA Signs MoUs with UNDP and CivicDataLab to Strengthen Odisha’s Disaster Management Framework](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/osdma-signs-mous-with-undp-and-civicdatalab-to-strengthen-odisha-s-disaster-mana) - [Nepal and China Resume Flood Rescue After Glacial Lake Overflow Risk Eases](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/nepal-and-china-resume-flood-rescue-after-glacial-lake-overflow-risk-eases) - [World Mental Health Day 2026 Observed on October 10 with Theme 'Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change'](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/world-mental-health-day-2026-observed-on-october-10-with-theme-lived-experiences) ## PM Modi launches five projects worth ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh, including Leh airport terminal, 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road and India's first petroglyph park ### Key Updates - Prime Minister Narendra Modi on October 15, 2026 virtually inaugurated and dedicated five major development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh via video conferencing. - A new passenger terminal building at Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport in Leh was inaugurated at a cost of ₹640 crore; spread over 23,800 square metres, it is designed to handle 35 lakh passengers annually. - The new Leh airport terminal incorporates geothermal energy for energy efficiency and, per the Prime Minister, is India's first terminal to feature geothermal heating alongside solar energy use. - The 298-km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road, constructed by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) at a cost of ₹2,500 crore, connects Nimmu in Leh with Darcha in Himachal Pradesh through the remote Zanskar Valley and cuts travel time from 12 hours to 3 hours. - The Nimmu-Padum-Darcha Road traverses the high-altitude Shinkun La Pass and provides an alternative connectivity corridor to Ladakh, supplementing the existing Srinagar-Leh and Manali-Leh highways. - The Prime Minister inaugurated the 9 MW Hanu Small Hydroelectric Project and the 66 kV Double-Circuit Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi Transmission Line to strengthen power evacuation infrastructure and electricity network reliability in Ladakh. - India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park was inaugurated at Sindhu Ghat in Leh to protect Ladakh's prehistoric rock art, which features carvings of animals, human figures and symbolic designs. - Forty water bodies developed across 40 villages under Project Him Sarovar were inaugurated to store water from snowmelt and glacial runoff and support irrigation during Ladakh's critical sowing season. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Prime Minister Narendra Modi launches development projects worth over Rs 13,000 crore in Tamil Nadu](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/prime-minister-narendra-modi-launches-development-projects-worth-over-rs-13-000) - [PM GatiShakti National Master Plan marks five years with 400+ projects worth Rs 20.23 lakh crore evaluated and ITLA cleared by Union Cabinet](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/pm-gatishakti-national-master-plan-marks-five-years-with-400-projects-worth-rs-2) - [PM Modi to Launch Five Projects Worth About ₹3,350 Crore in Ladakh on 15 October 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/pm-modi-to-launch-five-projects-worth-about-3-350-crore-in-ladakh-on-15-october) - [PM Launches ₹4,700 Crore Projects in Chandigarh](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/pm-launches-4-700-crore-projects-in-chandigarh) ## Supreme Court bars Hindu converts to Islam from Muslim backward class reservation in Tamil Nadu ### Key Updates - The Supreme Court upheld a Madras High Court judgment striking down a 2024 Tamil Nadu government order that allowed backward classes, most backward classes, denotified communities and scheduled caste converts to Islam to be issued community certificates of notified backward class Muslim sects. - A bench of Justices PK Mishra and Shree Chandrashekhar held that a person's pre-conversion status cannot confer backwardness, and that conversion severs the legal foundation of caste-based backwardness under Article 16(4) of the Constitution. - The high court had held that membership of notified Muslim communities such as Labbai, Rowther, Marakkayar or Deccani Muslim is determined solely by birth and cannot be acquired by conversion, as they are distinct socio-cultural communities rather than theological sects. - The case originated from a petition by Paramasivam, a Hindu who converted to Islam in 2015 and adopted the name Sameer Ahmed, after district authorities rejected his application for a Backward Class Muslim certificate as a Labbai Muslim. - The Tamil Nadu government had argued the 2024 order was based on the recommendation of the Tamil Nadu Backward Classes Commission, an argument rejected by the bench. ### Related Current Affairs Coverage - [Madhya Pradesh High Court Quashes 2019 Law Raising OBC Quota From 14% to 27%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/madhya-pradesh-high-court-quashes-2019-law-raising-obc-quota-from-14-to-27) - [Supreme Court upholds Andhra Pradesh High Court order quashing 34% Backward Classes quota in local bodies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/supreme-court-upholds-andhra-pradesh-high-court-order-quashing-34-backward-class)