---
title: "Daily Current Affairs: 23 October 2026"
date_published: "2026-10-23"
date_modified: "2026-10-23T08:00:00+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/23_10_2026"
citation_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/23_10_2026"
content_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/23_10_2026.md"
---

# Daily Current Affairs: 23 October 2026

Daily current affairs for 23 October 2026 with exam-focused key facts, connected news context, and revision notes for UPSC, SSC, banking and government exams.

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## Editorial Note

Last updated: 23 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 data shows forex reserves fall $5.011 billion to $721.016 billion
- Reserve Bank of India retains 3.5% minimum leverage ratio for G-SIB branches, effective April 1, 2027
- RBI directs regulated entities to forensically verify systems before reuse after data breaches
- Sebi Proposes Automatic Approval Route for Exchanges and Depositories to Deploy Funds Without Prior Nod
- Nirmala Sitharaman Chairs 30th Meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council in New Delhi
- RBI Delegates Powers to Compound Certain FEMA, 1999 Contraventions to Regional Offices

## Reserve Bank of India data shows forex reserves fall $5.011 billion to $721.016 billion

### Key Updates

- India's foreign exchange reserves declined by $5.011 billion to $721.016 billion in the week ended October 16, according to Reserve Bank of India (RBI) data released on Friday.
- In the previous reporting week, reserves had declined by $8.578 billion to $726.027 billion.
- Reserves had touched an all-time high of $785.706 billion for the week ended September 4, boosted by a special concessional swap for diaspora deposits through which banks raised a record nearly $133 billion.
- Foreign currency assets, the major component of reserves, decreased by $5.758 billion to $591.847 billion for the week ended October 16.
- Gold reserves rose $706 million to $105.8 billion during the week.
- Special Drawing Rights (SDRs) increased by $30 million to $18.578 billion.
- India's reserve position with the IMF increased by $11 million to $4.791 billion.
- Experts attribute the sharp decline to deployment of FCNR(B) resources and currency defence by the RBI through dollar sales.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India's foreign exchange reserves drop to $734.6 billion after fourth weekly fall](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-foreign-exchange-reserves-drop-to-734-6-billion-after-fourth-weekly-fall)
- [India Forex Reserves Hit Record $740.8 Billion: RBI Data](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-forex-reserves-hit-record-740-8-billion-rbi-data)
- [RBI data shows India's forex reserves fall $8.58 billion to $726.03 billion for week ended October 9](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/rbi-data-shows-india-s-forex-reserves-fall-8-58-billion-to-726-03-billion-for-we)
- [RBI data shows India's forex reserves dropped $18.34 billion to $747.56 billion for week ended September 25](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/rbi-data-shows-india-s-forex-reserves-dropped-18-34-billion-to-747-56-billion-fo)

## Reserve Bank of India retains 3.5% minimum leverage ratio for G-SIB branches, effective April 1, 2027

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued final norms requiring global systemically important banks (G-SIBs) operating in India to maintain a minimum leverage ratio of 3.5% from April 1, 2027.
- RBI rejected banks' suggestions to align the requirement with the 3% minimum prescribed under the Basel framework and retained the higher 3.5% threshold.
- RBI also rejected stakeholder requests to extend the implementation timeline, retaining April 1, 2027 as the effective date.
- The final norms follow a draft proposal issued in August, during which banks had asked RBI to align with the 3% Basel minimum.
- The leverage ratio measures a bank's Tier 1 capital against its total exposure, serving as a safeguard against excessive borrowing.
- Under the final rules, banks failing to meet the prescribed ratio will face restrictions on capital distribution, including limits on repatriating profits.
- Per the amendment directions, the minimum leverage ratio is 4% for domestic systemically important banks (D-SIBs) and 3.5% for other banks, while G-SIB branches must maintain 3.5% plus the applicable G-SIB leverage ratio buffer.
- The amendment aligns India's leverage ratio framework with the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision's leverage ratio 2017 standard and amends the RBI (Commercial Banks – Prudential Norms on Capital Adequacy) Directions, 2025.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Issues Detailed Checklist for Banks to Scrutinise Large Overseas Direct Investments Above $1 Billion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-issues-detailed-checklist-for-banks-to-scrutinise-larg)
- [Reserve Bank of India Hikes Banks' Minimum Daily CRR Maintenance to 99% from October 16](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-hikes-banks-minimum-daily-crr-maintenance-to-99-from-octob)
- [Finance Ministry says public sector banks hit record Rs 1.98 lakh crore profit in FY26 as GNPA falls to 1.93%](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/finance-ministry-says-public-sector-banks-hit-record-rs-1-98-lakh-crore-profit-i)
- [Reserve Bank of India Issues Commercial Banks Miscellaneous Amendment Directions 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-issues-commercial-banks-miscellaneous-amendment-directions)

## RBI directs regulated entities to forensically verify systems before reuse after data breaches

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) issued an advisory on October 19 directing banks, payment system operators and other regulated entities to treat their technology environments as compromised until forensically cleared after any exposure of credentials or confirmed unauthorised access.
- The advisory followed an October 15 warning by the Indian Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) that attackers were increasingly using autonomous AI agents to identify vulnerabilities, execute commands and exploit security weaknesses without continuous human intervention.
- CERT-In stated that in a financially motivated campaign against Indian entities, agentic tooling compressed the time between initial access and final impact from days to a few hours.
- RBI directed entities to remove management and administrative interfaces from public internet access, enforce multi-factor authentication for administrative access, and restrict cloud and backend system access on a least-privilege basis.
- RBI asked entities to audit source code, repositories, configuration files, client applications and cloud storage for exposed credentials, immediately rotate and purge compromised credentials, and maintain an API inventory while shutting down dormant, deprecated and test APIs and accounts.
- RBI mandated reporting of such incidents to its central office and relevant regional office within the stipulated timeline and asked for real-time monitoring of APIs to detect sudden bursts of automated requests, bulk data extraction and suspicious account registrations.
- CERT-In said several Indian entities were unaware their systems had been accessed by AI agents, with incidents surfaced only after voluntary disclosures by AI model providers whose systems had accessed live business records, personal information and confidential data beyond their authorisation.
- Earlier in October, around 20 financial institutions were reportedly targeted through stolen partner-bank credentials and vulnerabilities in payment and disbursement APIs to siphon off funds.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [CareEdge Global Ratings Ranks India's Digital Public Infrastructure Among World's 10 Most Effective Reforms](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/careedge-global-ratings-ranks-india-s-digital-public-infrastructure-among-world)
- [Reserve Bank of India exempts individuals from reporting personal foreign transactions; FAQs to be issued soon](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-exempts-individuals-from-reporting-personal-foreign-transa)
- [India Mobile Congress 2026 Unveils Viksit Tech 47 Platform to Promote Indian Tech Brands](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-mobile-congress-2026-unveils-viksit-tech-47-platform-to-promote-indian-tec)
- [Reserve Bank of India Survey Projects Positive Services Demand for Q3FY27 Amid Margin Concerns](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-survey-projects-positive-services-demand-for-q3fy27-amid-m)

## Sebi Proposes Automatic Approval Route for Exchanges and Depositories to Deploy Funds Without Prior Nod

### Key Updates

- The Securities and Exchange Board of India (Sebi) proposed an automatic approval route allowing market infrastructure institutions to deploy funds and undertake activities related to their core functions without prior Sebi approval, subject to financial limits and governance safeguards.
- The proposed framework caps aggregate fund deployment under the automatic route in a financial year at the lower of 5 per cent of the MII's net worth as of March 31 of the preceding financial year or the regulatory minimum net worth requirement, and net worth after deployment must not fall below 1.5 times the prescribed minimum.
- Route B covers activities similar to MII functions carried out through entities regulated by other financial sector regulators in India, provided Sebi has earlier approved such activity.
- Governance safeguards include approval by the MII's governing board, conflict-of-interest prevention measures, board-approved standard operating procedures, and half-yearly reports to Sebi within 30 days of each half-year's end.
- Sebi has sought public comments on the proposals till November 12, 2026.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [SEBI Chairman Tuhin Kanta Pandey outlines LODR and SME framework reviews, corporate bond measures and investor access reforms at FE Modern BFSI Summit 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-chairman-tuhin-kanta-pandey-outlines-lodr-and-sme-framework-reviews-corpora)
- [SEBI grants 1 Finance in-principle approval for India's first MF Lite asset management company](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-grants-1-finance-in-principle-approval-for-india-s-first-mf-lite-asset-mana)
- [SEBI Approves GARUDA Green-Channel Mechanism for AIF Placement Memorandum Processing](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-approves-garuda-green-channel-mechanism-for-aif-placement-memorandum-proces)
- [SEBI revamps Closing Auction Session rules and derivative settlement price mechanism](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-revamps-closing-auction-session-rules-and-derivative-settlement-price-mecha)

## Nirmala Sitharaman Chairs 30th Meeting of Financial Stability and Development Council in New Delhi

### Key Updates

- Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in New Delhi on October 23, 2026.
- The meeting was attended by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) Governor, secretaries of the Department of Economic Affairs, Department of Revenue and Department of Financial Services, and the Chief Economic Adviser.
- Chairpersons of key regulators including SEBI, IRDAI, IFSCA, PFRDA and IBBI attended the meeting, along with senior officials from MeitY and CERT-In.
- The FSDC is the government's apex-level forum for discussing financial stability, financial sector development and coordination among financial regulators, and was constituted by a government notification dated December 30, 2010.
- The FSDC is chaired by the Union Finance Minister, while its sub-committee is chaired by the RBI Governor.
- The FSDC's responsibilities include financial literacy, financial inclusion and macroprudential supervision of the economy, including the functioning of large financial conglomerates.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to lead India at 25th SCO Heads of Government meeting in Dushanbe](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/defence-minister-rajnath-singh-to-lead-india-at-25th-sco-heads-of-government-mee)
- [Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh urges SCO members at 25th Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe to jointly dismantle terrorism's entire ecosystem; India to host first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by year-end](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/raksha-mantri-rajnath-singh-urges-sco-members-at-25th-council-of-heads-of-govern)
- [PMAY-U 2.0: 10th CSMC Meeting Approves 1.93 Lakh More Houses, Taking Total Sanctions to 20.80 Lakh](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/pmay-u-2-0-10th-csmc-meeting-approves-1-93-lakh-more-houses-taking-total-sanctio)
- [India to Host 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi on October 26–27, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-to-host-12th-brics-parliamentary-forum-in-new-delhi-on-october-26-27-2026)

## RBI Delegates Powers to Compound Certain FEMA, 1999 Contraventions to Regional Offices

### Key Updates

- The Reserve Bank of India (RBI), vide A.P. (DIR Series) Circular No. 28/2026-27 dated October 23, 2026, delegated powers to compound certain contraventions under FEMA, 1999 to select Regional Offices.
- Compounding applications for Overseas Investment contraventions will be handled by Regional Offices at Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Mumbai, Kolkata, New Delhi, Hyderabad and Chennai based on the prefix of the Unique Identification Number (UIN) assigned to the foreign entity.
- Compounding applications for Borrowing and Lending, and Guarantees contraventions must be submitted to the Regional Office having jurisdiction over the registered office or domicile of the Indian entity.
- Applications involving no allotted UIN or contraventions across multiple categories must be submitted to the Cell for Effective implementation of FEMA (CEFA), Foreign Exchange Department, Central Office, Mumbai.
- The circular was issued under sections 10(4) and 11(1) of the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999, and updates the Master Directions on Compounding dated April 22, 2025.
- The circular was signed by Dr. Aditya Gaiha, Chief General Manager in Charge.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [FEMA 2026 export-import regulations bring flexible timelines with stronger AD bank scrutiny from October 1](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/fema-2026-export-import-regulations-bring-flexible-timelines-with-stronger-ad-ba)
- [RBI Hikes Bank Rate to 5.75 Per Cent, Revises Penal Interest Rates on CRR and SLR Shortfalls](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/rbi-hikes-bank-rate-to-5-75-per-cent-revises-penal-interest-rates-on-crr-and-slr)
- [IndusInd Bank Introduces Dedicated GCC Banking Vertical Combining Five Core Banking Capabilities](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indusind-bank-introduces-dedicated-gcc-banking-vertical-combining-five-core-bank)
- [Reserve Bank of India (RBI) clarifies scope of 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve requirement on rupee-linked derivative contracts](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/reserve-bank-of-india-rbi-clarifies-scope-of-20-foreign-exchange-risk-reserve-re)

## Department of Financial Services Initiates Nationwide Financial Inclusion Campaign Targeting 2.70 Lakh Local Bodies

### Key Updates

- The Department of Financial Services, under the Ministry of Finance, launched a nationwide Financial Inclusion Saturation Campaign.
- The initiative targets 2.70 lakh Gram Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies.
- The campaign is scheduled to run from October 21 to December 31, 2026.
- Banks will facilitate account opening under the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) and handle KYC updates, re-KYC, and nomination updates.
- The campaign supports enrolment in social security schemes including Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY), Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY), and Atal Pension Yojana (APY).
- The drive includes sourcing Kisan Credit Card (KCC) applications and facilitating enrolment under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) for the Rabi season, alongside digital fraud awareness.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Finance Ministry to launch nationwide financial scheme saturation campaign across 2.70 lakh gram panchayats and urban local bodies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/finance-ministry-to-launch-nationwide-financial-scheme-saturation-campaign-acros)

## NLC India inks three MoUs with Odisha's IPICOL for Rs 37,000 crore projects

### Key Updates

- NLC India (NLCIL) signed three memorandums of understanding with the Industrial Promotion and Investment Corporation of Odisha (IPICOL) in Mumbai, covering a total proposed investment of Rs 37,000 crore.
- The first MoU is for a 3,200 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Odisha with four units of 800 MW each, a potential investment of Rs 35,000 crore and expected employment for about 4,000 people.
- The second MoU is for a beach sand mineral processing facility with a tentative investment of Rs 2,000 crore, expected to provide jobs for about 500 people.
- The third MoU is for a study on coal gasification in Odisha to examine the technical feasibility of producing synthesis gas (Syn-Gas) for use in the fertiliser sector.
- NLC India, formerly Neyveli Lignite Corporation Limited, is a Navratna public sector undertaking with 79.2% Government of India equity, a lignite mining capacity of 30.1 million tonnes per annum, coal mining capacity of 20 million tonnes per annum and installed power generation capacity of about 6,071 MW.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for NLC India's 2,400 MW ultra-supercritical thermal power plant in Sambalpur, Odisha, in February 2024.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [P L S S Chaitanya Prakash Takes Charge as Director (Power) of NLC India](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/p-l-s-s-chaitanya-prakash-takes-charge-as-director-power-of-nlc-india)
- [NCLT clears record 107 resolution plans worth over Rs 11,000 crore in Q2 FY 2026-27](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nclt-clears-record-107-resolution-plans-worth-over-rs-11-000-crore-in-q2-fy-2026)
- [Odisha to Develop 870-Acre Silicon Valley at Naraj in Cuttack for Semiconductor and IT Projects](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/odisha-to-develop-870-acre-silicon-valley-at-naraj-in-cuttack-for-semiconductor)
- [PM-SETU: National Steering Committee Clears Five ITI Cluster Upgrade Plans Worth ₹1,194.92 Crore in Maharashtra, Odisha and Jammu & Kashmir](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/pm-setu-national-steering-committee-clears-five-iti-cluster-upgrade-plans-worth)

## GST Council-approved revamp of GST return forms to curb mismatches; drafts open for public feedback from November 1

### Key Updates

- The GST Council approved changes to GST return forms on October 8 to curb mismatches between sales reported by businesses and the tax they pay, a key trigger for tax notices.
- Draft revised forms will be uploaded on the MyGov portal on November 1 for public feedback until November 30, and the revised forms will take effect from April 1, 2027.
- Gaurav Singh, Commissioner in the GST Policy Wing of the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), said the GSTR-1 form is being modified and the Invoice Management System (IMS) improved so that editing GSTR-3B is not needed.
- Nearly 80% of GST notices were linked to mismatches in returns.
- The CBIC is considering simplifying GST audits, as businesses operating in multiple states can currently face audits by tax authorities in each state.
- Notifications and circulars from the October 8 GST Council meeting have been vetted by the Law Department and will be made public soon.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [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)
- [Karnataka, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Tamil Nadu Named Permanent Members of New GST Standing Committee](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/karnataka-maharashtra-uttar-pradesh-gujarat-and-tamil-nadu-named-permanent-membe)
- [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 Extending E-Invoicing to Imported Services and Unregistered Suppliers](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/gst-council-proposes-extending-e-invoicing-to-imported-services-and-unregistered)

## Reserve Bank of India study: Night-time satellite lights and Google Trends data reduce state growth estimation errors by up to 62%

### Key Updates

- A Reserve Bank of India (RBI) study, published in the RBI October Bulletin, found that combining satellite-based night-time lights with Google search data can reduce state-level economic growth estimation errors by up to 62%.
- The study, titled 'Nowcasting State-Level Economic Activity in India with Night-Time Light and Google Trends', developed a quarterly framework to track economic activity in Gujarat, Maharashtra and Karnataka.
- Gross State Value Added (GSVA) figures are released annually with a lag of 12-18 months, limiting real-time assessment of state economies.
- The model combined satellite night-time illumination data with Google Trends search indices across 25 categories, including jobs and education, finance, shopping, real estate and automobiles.
- Adding both night-time lights and Google search data reduced the root mean squared error (RMSE) by about 38% for Maharashtra, 54% for Karnataka and 62% for Gujarat.
- The correlation between year-on-year night-time lights growth and GSVA growth was highest in Maharashtra at 0.90, followed by Karnataka at 0.79 and Gujarat at 0.66.
- Night-time light data provided predictive information about subsequent GSVA growth, while Google Trends data contributed mainly through contemporaneous signals.
- The framework was tested only in three industrial states and is intended to complement, not replace, official economic statistics.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

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- [Asiatic Lions Reoccupy Gujarat's Barda Wildlife Sanctuary After Nearly 144 Years, Study Finds](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/asiatic-lions-reoccupy-gujarat-s-barda-wildlife-sanctuary-after-nearly-144-years)
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## National Statistics Office to update Periodic Labour Force Survey to cover platform workers and unpaid activities

### Key Updates

- The National Statistics Office (NSO) is modifying the sampling design and questionnaire of the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) to improve data on digital platform workers and unpaid household activities.
- The revised PLFS design will create a separate Second Stage Stratum specifically for digital platform workers.
- The revised Schedule 10.4 will collect information on own-use production, unpaid household and caregiving work, volunteer activities, and unpaid trainee work.
- These new questions will cover people aged 15 years and above in both rural and urban households.
- The changes will be introduced when the NSO draws fresh samples for the two-year period 2027-2028, known as Panel 6.
- A three-month transition period starting in January 2027 will utilize pooled monthly estimates based on both the existing Panel 5 and the updated Panel 6 frames.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [National Statistics Office Publishes Key Findings of India's First National Household Travel Survey](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/national-statistics-office-publishes-key-findings-of-india-s-first-national-hous)
- [National Statistics Office data shows India's unemployment rate steady at 5% in September 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/national-statistics-office-data-shows-india-s-unemployment-rate-steady-at-5-in-s)
- [Great Lakes Institute study finds nearly a quarter of India’s workforce highly exposed to AI](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/great-lakes-institute-study-finds-nearly-a-quarter-of-india-s-workforce-highly-e)
- [NSO study: In-kind welfare transfers lifted 220 million Indians into higher consumption classes in 2022-23, West Bengal top beneficiary](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nso-study-in-kind-welfare-transfers-lifted-220-million-indians-into-higher-consu)

## C-DAC and Bank of India Collaborate on Quantum Financial Innovation and Emerging Technologies

### Key Updates

- The Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) and Bank of India (BOI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on October 22, 2026, to collaborate on quantum financial innovation and emerging technologies in banking.
- The partnership aims to develop a Quantum Ecosystem for Financial Innovation to prepare banking systems for the opportunities and security challenges associated with quantum technologies.
- The collaboration will explore quantum-inspired and quantum-safe technologies to strengthen security, trust, resilience, and decision-making within the banking sector.
- The MoU establishes a framework for joint research, development, and capacity-building initiatives, leveraging C-DAC’s expertise in High Performance Computing and BOI’s banking domain knowledge.
- Potential areas of collaboration include Blockchain, Artificial Intelligence, intelligent document processing, fraud analysis, and smart contracts.
- The partnership will focus on developing a future-ready talent ecosystem through training and capacity-building programs in Quantum Computing, Quantum Security, and Artificial Intelligence.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Technology Development Board under DST commits ₹150 crore from RDI Fund to QNu Labs for indigenous quantum-secure technology development](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/technology-development-board-under-dst-commits-150-crore-from-rdi-fund-to-qnu-la)
- [SSIR and IISc Open Quantum Research Lab on Bengaluru Campus](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/ssir-and-iisc-open-quantum-research-lab-on-bengaluru-campus)
- [United States and India Partner to Strengthen Undersea Cable Security under TRUST Initiative](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/united-states-and-india-partner-to-strengthen-undersea-cable-security-under-trus)

## Government prohibits reuse of single-use medical devices in healthcare facilities

### Key Updates

- The government has prohibited the reuse of single-use medical devices and disposable surgical items in both public and private healthcare facilities, citing patient safety risks.
- The directive was issued by the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) after it observed that some private and corporate hospitals were reusing such items, especially in cardiology, nephrology, oncology, cardiothoracic and vascular surgery, and neurosurgery.
- The DGHS directive was sent to states and union territories, the Drug Controller General of India (DCGI) and the Central Government Health Scheme (CGHS), asking them to ensure compliance.
- Authorities have been asked to inspect healthcare facilities, monitor compliance and act against violations under applicable laws.
- The DGHS said reuse may violate the Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940, the Medical Devices Rules, 2017, and the Clinical Establishments Act, 2010, along with infection control and biomedical waste management provisions.
- The Association of Indian Medical Device Industry (AiMeD) said responsibility for harm from reuse of single-use devices should rest with the hospital or person reusing them, not the manufacturer.

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- [India's First National Mortuary Standards: Ban on Basement Morgues](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-first-national-mortuary-standards-ban-on-basement-morgues)
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## Department of Telecom mandates SIM-binding for messaging apps starting January 1, 2027

### Key Updates

- The Department of Telecom (DoT) has mandated SIM-binding rules for messaging platforms.
- The SIM-binding rules are set to come into effect on January 1, 2027.
- Messaging platforms must ensure compliance with the DoT's SIM-binding guidelines by December 31, 2026.
- Messaging apps using Indian mobile numbers must verify that the registered number is tied to an active SIM card or eSIM present on the device.
- The policy is intended to combat cybercrime, phishing operations, and digital arrest scams.
- The directive impacts web logins, such as WhatsApp Web, which are subject to risk-based logouts, including immediate termination in suspected fraud cases.

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- [DoT mandates Calling Name Presentation (CNAP) on 4G and newer networks from November 1, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/dot-mandates-calling-name-presentation-cnap-on-4g-and-newer-networks-from-novemb)
- [NHAI extends exempted FASTag validity for Divyangjan and PwD users to three or five years from October 2, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nhai-extends-exempted-fastag-validity-for-divyangjan-and-pwd-users-to-three-or-f)
- [WhatsApp Launches Bill Payments in India via Bharat Connect, Covering 22,722 Billers](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/whatsapp-launches-bill-payments-in-india-via-bharat-connect-covering-22-722-bill)

## India begins drafting national action plan for inland small-scale fisheries under FAO framework, targets 30 million tonnes fish output in five years

### Key Updates

- India formally launched the development phase of its National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, developed under the framework of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and led by the Union Department of Fisheries with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO).
- Dr Abhilaksh Likhi, Secretary, Department of Fisheries, launched the development phase at a two-day national workshop in Bhopal that identified key priorities and prepared a framework of activities, including consultations with fishing communities and stakeholders.
- India has set a target of 30 million tonnes in fish production over the next five years, with seafood exports expected to rise to Rs 1.25 lakh crore.
- India's current annual fish production is 19.7 million tonnes, with inland fisheries contributing about three-fourths of the output and seafood exports having crossed Rs 70,000 crore.
- The proposed plan covers fisheries in rivers, canals, reservoirs, lakes, floodplain wetlands, tanks and cold-water systems.
- The development phase is expected to address fishing rights and resource management, employment and decent work, gender equality, value chains and post-harvest trade, and disaster risks and climate change.
- The plan will be finalised through stakeholder consultations before its public launch next month and subsequent implementation.
- Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Secretary Swantantra Kumar Singh, Joint Secretary Dr Gunjan Krishna and FAO Project Officer Giulia Gorelli also spoke on the occasion.

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- [Mission Rangeen Machhli 2031 Released for Ornamental Fisheries Development](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/mission-rangeen-machhli-2031-released-for-ornamental-fisheries-development)
- [Department of Fisheries (DoF) charts export roadmap for Chhattisgarh tilapia cluster with ₹900 crore PMMSY investment](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/department-of-fisheries-dof-charts-export-roadmap-for-chhattisgarh-tilapia-clust)
- [ADB report: Asia-Pacific coastal flood losses could hit $199 billion a year by 2050](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/adb-report-asia-pacific-coastal-flood-losses-could-hit-199-billion-a-year-by-205)

## Government Rolls Out Upgraded NMMS App with AI and Liveness Detection for VB-G RAM G; Farmer ID Drive Nears 11-Crore Milestone

### Key Updates

- Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan launched an enhanced security-focused version of the National Mobile Monitoring System (NMMS) app for recording worker attendance under VB-G RAM G, developed with technical support from IIT Madras.
- The upgraded app integrates Google Play Integrity, device-level security checks, secure data transmission, safeguards against cloning and tampering, AI-based face verification and liveness detection to curb fraudulent attendance.
- The app allows offline attendance recording in areas without network connectivity and provides an authorised exception mechanism when face authentication fails for elderly workers, persons with disabilities, or when devices malfunction.
- Face authentication was introduced in the NMMS app in March 2026; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand have achieved 100% face-authenticated attendance recording.
- The latest version builds on a security update released in the last week of September 2026.
- The VB-G RAM G scheme, implemented across all rural areas from July 1, 2026, has generated nearly 46 crore person-days, of which about 40 crore were recorded through face authentication, at 31.23 lakh worksites across more than 2.41 lakh Gram Panchayats.
- Employment has been provided to more than 3.65 crore workers from 2.89 crore rural households under VB-G RAM G.
- The Centre allocated ₹95,692 crore for the scheme in FY 2026-27; with states' share the total provision exceeds ₹1.51 lakh crore, and a mother sanction of ₹26,126 crore has been issued as the first instalment.
- Wage payments require multi-layered verification including an AI-based photo de-duplication module, electronic Measurement Book (e-MB) records of actual work, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) to workers' bank accounts.
- States have been directed to monitor use of suspicious or unauthorised applications and initiate criminal proceedings where misuse is detected.
- India has generated 10 crore 99 lakh 70 thousand Farmer IDs, within 30,000 of the 11-crore target set by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for December 2027, more than a year ahead of the deadline.

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- [NHAI Adds Toll Plaza Feedback Option to Rajmargyatra App for Rating Highway Toll Services](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nhai-adds-toll-plaza-feedback-option-to-rajmargyatra-app-for-rating-highway-toll)
- [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)
- [Centre Rolls Out Upgraded Agri Welfare Portal for Farmer Services](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/centre-rolls-out-upgraded-agri-welfare-portal-for-farmer-services)

## Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana Boost Integrated Care and Support for Senior Citizens

### Key Updates

- The Atal Vayo Abhyuday Yojana (AVYAY), implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, promotes senior citizen welfare through an integrated framework of care services and institutional support.
- The Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC) under AVYAY currently supports 764 Senior Citizen Homes, 13 Continuous Care Homes, 17 Mobile Medicare Units, and 3 Physiotherapy Clinics.
- Each Regional Resource and Training Centre (RRTC) is provided with an annual financial support of ₹19.58 lakh to strengthen outreach and service delivery.
- The AVYAY scheme incorporates the State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC), which focuses on strengthening state-level planning and capacity building for elderly welfare.
- Under SAPSrC, financial assistance is provided to State and Union Territory Governments for initiatives such as developing trained geriatric caregivers and organizing special cataract surgery drives.
- States and Union Territories can utilize up to 20 per cent of their allocated funds for state-specific programs under the AVYAY scheme.

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- [World Senior Citizens Day 2026 observed on August 21](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/world-senior-citizens-day-2026-observed-on-august-21)
- [PM-AJAY: 18,093 Villages Declared Adarsh Grams with Rs 1,730 Crore Grants-in-Aid and 785 Hostels Completed](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/pm-ajay-18-093-villages-declared-adarsh-grams-with-rs-1-730-crore-grants-in-aid)
- [DoSJE and Ramakrishna Mission Sign MoU for Intergenerational Bonding Initiative in 200 Schools](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/dosje-and-ramakrishna-mission-sign-mou-for-intergenerational-bonding-initiative)
- [NITI Aayog Releases Caregiving Report for Viksit Bharat@2047](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/niti-aayog-releases-caregiving-report-for-viksit-bharat-2047)

## Goa's new AI policy: Rs 250-crore innovation fund and target of 50,000 AI-ready professionals by 2030

### Key Updates

- Goa's new AI policy centres on a Rs 250-crore innovation fund spread over five years, aimed at diversifying its tourism-led economy into a 'knowledge destination'.
- The policy targets creating 50,000 AI-ready professionals by 2030 and is aligned with the Centre's IndiaAI Mission.
- Tourism accounts for about 16.43% of Goa's GDP and 40-45% of employment, while mining once contributed about 17% of the state's GDP.
- Goa's share of India's pharma sector is about 12%.
- Goa's investment pitch focuses on research, design and creative work rather than manufacturing, with the motto 'Build from Goa, scale up from Goa'.
- Goa has signed an MoU with BITS Goa for an AI Centre of Excellence and with Bengaluru-based robotics firm Sirena Technologies to introduce robotics into the curriculum.
- Goa has signed an MoU with BHASHINI to develop a Konkani large language model (LLM) for creating localised models for state governance.
- Goa, which has never had a major global capability centre (GCC) or IT park, is planning a tech hub for innovators, researchers and academics, with provisions for AI centres of excellence.
- Goa IT Minister Rohan Khaunte said the state would strictly implement ethical AI practices and could host 'one or two' data centres at most, as data centres generate few jobs while consuming large amounts of energy and water.

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- [India to Host World Circular Economy Forum 2026 in Gandhinagar, Gujarat, from September 15 to 18](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-to-host-world-circular-economy-forum-2026-in-gandhinagar-gujarat-from-sept)
- [India Climbs to 31st Place in World Economic Forum Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-climbs-to-31st-place-in-world-economic-forum-travel-and-tourism-developmen)
- [8th BRICS Oceanic-Polar Science and Technology Meeting Begins in Goa on August 12, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/8th-brics-oceanic-polar-science-and-technology-meeting-begins-in-goa-on-august-1)

## NHAI Releases Guidelines for Upgradation, Maintenance and Smart Monitoring of Toilets and Parking at Toll Plazas

### Key Updates

- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has issued guidelines for the upgradation, maintenance and smart monitoring of public toilet facilities and designated parking areas at National Highway toll plazas.
- Existing toilet facilities will undergo technical assessment before rehabilitation, with upgradation covering flooring, plumbing, sanitary fittings, lighting, ventilation, drainage and signage; housekeeping and cleaning schedules will be based on toilet block size and traffic levels.
- Safety measures include proper lighting, CCTV surveillance of approaches and parking areas, sanitary napkin vending machines, visible information signs, and at least one universally accessible toilet unit with barrier-free access, suitable doorways and grab bars for people with disabilities at each covered toll plaza.
- Parking areas will be improved through designated parking bays and proper drainage, with provisions for future electric vehicle charging infrastructure.
- Technology-based monitoring will track water availability, odour, sewage levels, leakages, electricity supply and toilet occupancy, with alerts for issues like water shortages, sewage overflow and equipment failures.
- Smart monitoring data will be integrated with NHAI's central digital platform for tracking facility conditions, maintenance, complaints and agency performance, while users can share feedback through QR codes linked to the Rajmargyatra app and touchscreens at toilet facilities.
- Cleaning and desludging of septic tanks, soak pits and sewer lines must use completely mechanised methods, and manual entry into septic tanks, manholes and sewer lines is strictly prohibited.
- A structured inspection framework comprises daily supervision, weekly technical inspections, monthly joint reviews, quarterly audits and annual third-party assessments, with performance assessed through physical inspections, monitoring data and verified citizen feedback.
- The guidelines set clear deadlines for fixing problems and financial penalties for poor maintenance, and agencies that repeatedly fail to meet standards may face strict action.

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- [NHAI Releases Guidelines for High-Speed Access-Controlled National Highways to Boost Safety](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/nhai-releases-guidelines-for-high-speed-access-controlled-national-highways-to-b)
- [NHAI Adds Toll Plaza Feedback Option to Rajmargyatra App for Rating Highway Toll Services](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nhai-adds-toll-plaza-feedback-option-to-rajmargyatra-app-for-rating-highway-toll)
- [NHAI Extends Digital FASTag Local Pass Facility to 121 Toll Plazas](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/nhai-extends-digital-fastag-local-pass-facility-to-121-toll-plazas)

## Government Sets Up Three-Member Committee to Review Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices and Its Enforcement

### Key Updates

- The Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP) has constituted a three-member committee to examine the effectiveness of the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), including oversight and enforcement mechanisms to address unethical marketing and measures to improve transparency, accountability and compliance.
- The committee is headed by Niti Aayog member and former AIIMS Delhi Director M Srinivas, with former Union Health Secretary Preeti Sudan and Medanta Hospitals Chairman Naresh Trehan as members.
- The committee must submit its recommendations to the DoP within two months of its first meeting, as per the DoP order dated October 22, with the DoP providing secretarial assistance and the committee allowed to consult stakeholders and experts.
- The review follows concerns over the voluntary, industry-led UCPMP notified in 2024, under which pharmaceutical associations had to constitute a five-member Ethics Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices (ECPMP) with appeals to an Apex Committee for Pharma Marketing Practices (ACPMP) headed by the DoP Secretary, but critics said there were no specific penal provisions for violating companies.
- The Federation of Medical and Sales Representatives' Associations of India (FMRAI) had approached the Supreme Court in 2021 seeking to make the UCPMP statutory, after which the government constituted a High-Powered Committee chaired by Niti Aayog member (health) Vinod K Paul.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Supreme Court directs Union government to set up expert committee on statutory regulation of pharmaceutical marketing](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/supreme-court-directs-union-government-to-set-up-expert-committee-on-statutory-r)
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## India-Russia Bilateral Naval Exercise INDRA 2026 Concludes as INS Sahyadri Departs Vladivostok

### Key Updates

- The bilateral naval exercise INDRA 2026 between the Indian Navy and the Russian Federation Navy (RuFN) concluded, and Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri departed Vladivostok, Russia, on 20 October 2026.
- The exercise comprised two phases: a Harbour Phase and a Sea Phase.
- The Harbour Phase featured key leaders' interactions, cross-deck visits, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges, operational synchronisation activities, sports fixtures and cultural exchanges.
- The Sea Phase involved coordinated manoeuvring, integrated communications, helicopter operations and medical evacuation drills to strengthen operational coordination and interoperability at sea.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [INS Sahyadri Reaches Vladivostok to Join India-Russia Naval Exercise INDRA 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/ins-sahyadri-reaches-vladivostok-to-join-india-russia-naval-exercise-indra-2026)
- [India and Sri Lanka Begin 13th Edition of SLINEX-26 Bilateral Naval Exercise at Visakhapatnam](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-and-sri-lanka-begin-13th-edition-of-slinex-26-bilateral-naval-exercise-at)

## India–New Zealand electronic origin-data pact takes effect after FTA implementation

### Key Updates

- India and New Zealand signed a Memorandum of Cooperation on 19 October 2026 to enable electronic exchange of origin data for traded goods, signed by CBIC Chairman Vivek Chaturvedi and New Zealand Customs Service Comptroller Christine Stevenson.
- The pact came into effect one day after the India–New Zealand Free Trade Agreement was implemented on 20 October 2026.
- The arrangement allows customs authorities of both countries to electronically exchange origin information to verify whether goods qualify for preferential tariff treatment under the FTA.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

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- [India and New Zealand ink customs pact for electronic exchange of trade origin data](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-and-new-zealand-ink-customs-pact-for-electronic-exchange-of-trade-origin-d)
- [Government partners with states to boost FTA export outreach for MSMEs and farmers](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/government-partners-with-states-to-boost-fta-export-outreach-for-msmes-and-farme)
- [India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to Enter into Force on 20 October 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-new-zealand-free-trade-agreement-to-enter-into-force-on-20-october-2026)

## 25th SCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting Held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, October 19-20, 2026

### Key Updates

- The 25th meeting of the Council of Heads of Government (CHG) of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan, from October 19 to October 20, 2026.
- The meeting was chaired by the Republic of Tajikistan and attended by heads of government from several member states, including China, Russia, and Iran.
- The Minister of Defence of the Republic of India, Rajnath Singh, participated in the restricted-format meeting.
- Participants held discussions focused on the transformation of the global economic architecture and strengthening the SCO's economic dimension.
- The SCO member states adopted a Joint Communiqué and signed decisions concerning the Programme of Multilateral Trade and Economic Cooperation and cooperation in industry and transport.
- The establishment of the SCO Development Bank was highlighted as a strategy to identify and finance promising multilateral projects.
- The chairmanship of the CHG was passed to the Republic of Uzbekistan, with the next meeting scheduled to be held in that country in 2027.

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- [Raksha Mantri Rajnath Singh urges SCO members at 25th Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe to jointly dismantle terrorism's entire ecosystem; India to host first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by year-end](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/raksha-mantri-rajnath-singh-urges-sco-members-at-25th-council-of-heads-of-govern)
- [26th SCO Summit Held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/26th-sco-summit-held-in-bishkek-kyrgyzstan)
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## India Begins Indigenous Development of 20mm Aviation Gun for Rudra and Prachand Combat Helicopters with SSS Defence and Kalyani Group Shortlisted by DRDO's ARDE

### Key Updates

- The Defence Research and Development Organisation's (DRDO) Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE) has shortlisted domestic firms SSS Defence and Kalyani Group to develop an indigenous 20mm aviation gun and turret system.
- This will be India's first domestically designed and developed aviation medium-caliber gun, intended for the Rudra (Advanced Light Helicopter Mk-IV) and Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) Prachand.
- The development phase is expected to take around two years, after which production orders will be split based on cost, with the lowest bidder receiving 60% and the other firm 40%.
- ARDE and Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) signed a memorandum of understanding last year to collaborate on the gun project.
- The LCH currently uses the THL20 turret from European firm KNDS, which in September announced supply of 126 newly manufactured THL20 turrets for India's new LCH fleet and has supplied 136 turrets for Indian Air Force Advanced Light Helicopters.
- Indigenous HELINA and Dhruvastra anti-tank guided missiles, derived from the Nag programme, are meant for Army and Air Force helicopters respectively; in June, Bharat Dynamics Limited received orders worth Rs 1,109.37 crore from HAL for HELINA launchers and Rs 238.34 crore for countermeasure dispensing system units, to be executed over 24 to 60 months.
- Kalyani Strategic Systems and Thales Belgium announced an agreement in September to manufacture 70mm rockets in India, with the first fully India-assembled rocket expected in early 2027.

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- [India's DRDO Creates Indigenous Armour Panels 20% Lighter for Future Army Combat Vehicles](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-drdo-creates-indigenous-armour-panels-20-lighter-for-future-army-combat)
- [India's Akash air defence missile system exported to Turkmenistan, joining Chinese-made systems in the Central Asian nation's arsenal](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-s-akash-air-defence-missile-system-exported-to-turkmenistan-joining-chines)
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## UNESCO Releases 2026 Gender Report Detailing Global and African Education Access Findings

### Key Updates

- UNESCO's 2026 Gender Report 'Gender equity in access to education' and its Africa edition accompany the 2026 Global Education Monitoring (GEM) Report on access and equity.
- By 2024, global gender parity in enrolment had been achieved from pre-primary through upper secondary education, while tertiary enrolment stood at 88 young men for every 100 young women.
- Between 2000 and 2024, the share of countries with fewer than nine girls enrolled per ten boys fell from 15% to 2% in primary education and from 18% to 5% in upper secondary education.
- Africa achieved gender parity in primary enrolment in 2021; in 2024 there were 93 girls per 100 boys in upper secondary and 94 women per 100 men in tertiary enrolment across the continent.
- Of the estimated 273 million out-of-school children, adolescents and youth in 2024, 140 million were boys and 133 million were girls; Africa's out-of-school population was about 120 million, with 60.1 million girls and 59.9 million boys.
- Between 2000 and 2024, Africa's out-of-school rate for girls fell from 47% to 28%, narrowing the gender gap from eight percentage points to around one.
- In 2024, 11% of boys and 8% of girls globally were at least two years over-age in lower secondary education, compared with 37% of boys and 23% of girls in Africa.
- Among the poorest households in Angola, only 30 girls completed upper secondary school for every 100 boys, while in rural India only 59 girls completed for every 100 boys despite urban parity.
- Cambodia turned a 22-percentage-point girls' disadvantage in primary completion in 1981 into an 11-point advantage by 2024, and Nepal closed a 33-percentage-point lower secondary completion gap between 1990 and 2024.
- In 14 African countries, making lower secondary education free and compulsory increased attainment by 1.6 years for girls and 1.4 years for boys compared with making it free alone.
- In rural China, subsidies covering tuition, textbooks and living expenses raised poor girls' enrolment by seven percentage points, and Mali's Jigisemejiri safety-net programme doubled enrolment among girls of upper secondary school age.
- In Pakistan, girls travelling 45–60 minutes to school were 15 percentage points less likely to be in education than girls living 15 minutes away, while girl-friendly schools in Burkina Faso increased enrolment by 19 percentage points.

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- [Indian Institute of Technology Madras (IIT Madras) and UNESCO Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Education for Peace and Sustainable Development (UNESCO MGIEP) partner to develop AI tools for immersive SEL-based learning](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/indian-institute-of-technology-madras-iit-madras-and-unesco-mahatma-gandhi-insti)
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- [UN Women and UN DESA Release Gender Snapshot 2026 Report Warning One in Three Gender Equality Institutions Weakened](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/un-women-and-un-desa-release-gender-snapshot-2026-report-warning-one-in-three-ge)

## Supreme Court extends ground truthing and demarcation of wetlands to all water bodies, linking them to right to life

### Key Updates

- The Supreme Court, in an October 12 order by Justices Aravind Kumar and Vipul M Pancholi, expanded the identification and demarcation of wetlands to all water bodies across the country, citing their role as sources of drinking water under Article 21.
- In December 2024, the court had directed states and union territories to complete ground truthing and physical demarcation of wetlands in the 2021 Space Applications Centre (SAC) Atlas within three months under the Wetlands (Conservation and Management) Rules, 2017.
- States must now file affidavits within four weeks on the status of ground truthing of wetlands and other water bodies, following the four-stage model adopted by Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu has 28,898 wetlands, of which 2,614 have been demarcated, and the court allowed it four months to complete demarcation of the rest.
- The court noted that even nine years after the 2017 Rules were published, ground truthing and demarcation remain incomplete.
- The 2021 Atlas identified about 555,557 wetlands smaller than 2.25 hectares, and the court reiterated that states must identify, specify and mark these as well.
- The matter has been posted for November 16.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

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- [Supreme Court Bans Construction Near Jojari River in Rajasthan](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/supreme-court-bans-construction-near-jojari-river-in-rajasthan)
- [Uttar Pradesh completes Ganga floodplain demarcation across 700 km to curb encroachments](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/uttar-pradesh-completes-ganga-floodplain-demarcation-across-700-km-to-curb-encro)

## C-DOT Inks MoU with IIT (BHU) Varanasi to Launch Its Sixth Centre of Excellence for Advanced Telecom Research

### Key Updates

- The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT), the telecom R&D centre of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Indian Institute of Technology (BHU), Varanasi, on 23 October 2026 to establish its sixth Centre of Excellence (CoE).
- The MoU was signed in the presence of Dr. Pankaj Kumar Dalela, EVP, C-DOT, and Professor Amit Patra, Director, IIT (BHU), Varanasi, and the ceremony was followed by the inauguration of the CoE.
- The new CoE will focus on Wireless Communications, Quantum Technologies, Cybersecurity and AI-driven Communication Systems, with advanced research in 5G Advanced/6G Technologies, very large-scale Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) systems, Integrated Sensing and Communication, AI-Native Communication Networks and devices, and Quantum and Post-Quantum Communication Technologies.
- The CoE expands C-DOT's national network of Centres of Excellence to six, joining existing collaborations with IIT Kanpur, IIT Gandhinagar, IIT Roorkee, IIT Hyderabad and IISc Bengaluru through FSID.

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- [SASTRA Deemed University and Tata Communications Launch Centre of Excellence in Cybersecurity and Digital Forensics](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sastra-deemed-university-and-tata-communications-launch-centre-of-excellence-in)
- [Government Notifies Telecom Regulatory Sandbox Rules 2026 to Enable Testing of New Technologies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/government-notifies-telecom-regulatory-sandbox-rules-2026-to-enable-testing-of-n)

## WWF-India EIACP Rolls Out Nationwide Green Diwali Campaign (Oct 20 – Nov 8, 2026) Urging Cracker-Free Celebrations

### Key Updates

- WWF-India's Programme Centre – Resource Partner (PC-RP), supported by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, launched a nationwide Green Diwali Campaign running from 20 October 2026 to 8 November 2026, urging citizens to avoid firecrackers and celebrate a cracker-free Diwali in line with Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment).
- The campaign will reach schools, colleges, educational institutions, resident welfare associations and local communities, with a special focus on the 130 cities covered under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP).
- Under the Green Diwali Pledge, citizens are urged to avoid firecrackers, use diyas and energy-efficient lights, avoid single-use plastic, segregate waste and choose local products, with pledge drives organised through assemblies, classes, rallies and community meetings.
- Citizens are also encouraged to take WWF-India's Carbon Footprint Survey, and participating institutions must submit activity details, dates, participant numbers, geo-tagged photographs and brief reports via an online form; selected entries may be featured on EIACP websites and social media platforms.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India Inaugurates Green Forge Complex at BRIC-NABI Mohali](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-inaugurates-green-forge-complex-at-bric-nabi-mohali)
- [CARA Launches Adoption Awareness 2026 Theme to Promote Legal Adoption](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/cara-launches-adoption-awareness-2026-theme-to-promote-legal-adoption)
- [Khet Bachao Abhiyan-Rabi 2026: Nationwide Sustainable Farming Campaign Launched from Karnal, Haryana](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/khet-bachao-abhiyan-rabi-2026-nationwide-sustainable-farming-campaign-launched-f)
- [Union Health Ministry launches 'Jug Jug Jiyo Abhiyaan' to promote organ donation](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/union-health-ministry-launches-jug-jug-jiyo-abhiyaan-to-promote-organ-donation)

## FACTLY's AI Platforms Dataful, Tagore AI and GoPie Open Up India's Public Data

### Key Updates

- Startup FACTLY's Dataful platform converts fragmented government information into over 18,000 clean, standardised datasets across more than 50 sectors, serving over 60,000 registered users.
- Tagore AI enables conversational research across approximately 2.5 million official documents dating back to the 1950s, allowing users to trace answers to sources.
- GoPie provides an analytics layer that lets users ask questions in ordinary language and generate analyses, dashboards and narrative reports without programming skills.
- Using NCRB data, the platforms show dowry deaths declined from 8,618 cases in 2011 to 5,737 in 2024, with 2,765 cases pending investigation at the end of 2024.
- The platforms, featured in the NITI Aayog Frontier Tech Repository, originate from Telangana and have the potential to save millions of researcher-hours by reducing repeated data preparation.

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- [Digital India BHASHINI Division (DIBD) and NITI Aayog sign pact to advance multilingual AI for governance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/digital-india-bhashini-division-dibd-and-niti-aayog-sign-pact-to-advance-multili)
- [HCLTech to Invest ₹14,257 Crore in Odisha AI Data Centre](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/hcltech-to-invest-14-257-crore-in-odisha-ai-data-centre)
- [Karnataka Launches Tathyakosh Public Data Portal to Make Public Data Easier to Discover](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/karnataka-launches-tathyakosh-public-data-portal-to-make-public-data-easier-to-d)

## Indian Athletes Secure Multiple Medals and World Records at the Asian Para Games

### Key Updates

- Sandeep Kumar won Gold in the Men’s 400m T64 event at the Asian Para Games, setting a new World Record and securing India's 100th medal.
- Haney won Gold and set a new World Record in the Men’s Javelin Throw F37/F38 event at the Asian Para Games.
- Naveen Sivakumar won Gold in Men’s Singles SL4 at the Asian Para Games, marking a memorable debut.
- Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan won Silver in Women’s Singles SH6 at the Asian Para Games.
- Jehan Dorab Madan and Shubham Wadhwa won Bronze in Men’s Doubles Class MD4, securing India’s first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Para Games.
- Bhawna Choudhary and Pooja Jatyan won Silver in Women’s Recurve Doubles, securing India’s first-ever medal in this event at the Asian Para Games.
- Thulasimathi Murugesan won Silver in Women’s Singles SU5 at the Asian Para Games.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Paralympic champions Pramod Bhagat and Bhavina Patel named Indian flag bearers for Asian Para Games in Japan](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/paralympic-champions-pramod-bhagat-and-bhavina-patel-named-indian-flag-bearers-f)
- [Asian Para Games 2026: India's Latest Medals, Records and Standings](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/asian-para-games-2026-india-s-latest-medals-records-and-standings)
- [Asian Para Games 2026: India's Day 2 Medals, Records and Competition Progress](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/asian-para-games-2026-india-s-day-2-medals-records-and-competition-progress)
- [Asian Para Games 2026: India's medal haul with historic firsts in archery, athletics, badminton and table tennis](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/asian-para-games-2026-india-s-medal-haul-with-historic-firsts-in-archery-athleti)

## Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Announces Notification of 100 Constituencies for Autonomous Hill Development Councils

### Key Updates

- Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena notified 100 constituencies for the eight Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs).
- This notification nearly doubles the existing council strength, which previously comprised 52 elected seats.
- The notification was issued under the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, which was promulgated by President Droupadi Murmu on October 16, 2026.
- The 100 constituencies are distributed across eight districts, including Leh with 22 seats, Kargil with 21 seats, and the newly created Sankoo district with 13 seats.
- The amended regulation rationalized the number of constituencies from the earlier provision of 26 seats per council to a minimum of seven and a maximum of 24 seats.
- The amendment mandates the nomination of four members from women and unrepresented communities to ensure greater participation in local governance.

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- [Ladakh Raises Monthly Honorarium of Village Heads to ₹5,000 After a Decade](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ladakh-raises-monthly-honorarium-of-village-heads-to-5-000-after-a-decade)
- [Vinai Kumar Saxena, Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Given Additional Charge of Jammu and Kashmir](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/vinai-kumar-saxena-lieutenant-governor-of-ladakh-given-additional-charge-of-jamm)
- [Centre amends Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council rules, fixes 7-24 elected seats](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/centre-amends-ladakh-autonomous-hill-development-council-rules-fixes-7-24-electe)
- [Information and Broadcasting Ministry notifies 13 journalists as Press Council of India members on October 8, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/information-and-broadcasting-ministry-notifies-13-journalists-as-press-council-o)

## India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper train scheduled to connect Bengaluru and Mumbai on November 1

### Key Updates

- India's second Vande Bharat Sleeper train is scheduled to launch on November 1, 2026, connecting Bengaluru and Mumbai.
- The new semi-high-speed train is expected to reduce the travel time between the two cities by up to eight hours, completing the journey in 16 hours.
- The train is developed by BEML using technology from the Chennai-based Integral Coach Factory (ICF).
- The service will feature 16 fully air-conditioned coaches and accommodate a total of 823 passengers.
- The Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper Express will stop at major railway stations including Kalaburagi, Solapur, Pune, Kalyan, and Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (CSMT).

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- [Vande Bharat crosses Chenab and Anji bridges at 100 kmph as Katra-Banihal speed limit raised](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/vande-bharat-crosses-chenab-and-anji-bridges-at-100-kmph-as-katra-banihal-speed)
- [Vande Bharat trainset built at Rail Coach Factory Kapurthala clears 180 kmph high-speed trial on Mathura-Nagda section](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/vande-bharat-trainset-built-at-rail-coach-factory-kapurthala-clears-180-kmph-hig)
- [BHEL and Titagarh Rail Systems Form Joint Venture for 35-Year Vande Bharat Sleeper Maintenance](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/bhel-and-titagarh-rail-systems-form-joint-venture-for-35-year-vande-bharat-sleep)