---
title: "Daily Current Affairs: 25 October 2026"
date_published: "2026-10-25"
date_modified: "2026-10-25T08:00:00+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/25_10_2026"
citation_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/25_10_2026"
content_url: "https://www.dailyconnects.in/news/25_10_2026.md"
---

# Daily Current Affairs: 25 October 2026

Daily current affairs for 25 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: 25 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

- Ministry of Corporate Affairs Extends FY26 Company Filing Deadlines and Waives Additional Fees
- India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Specified Chinese Titanium Dioxide Imports
- Madhya Pradesh Attracts Investment Proposals Exceeding ₹15,400 Crore at Semiconductor Summit
- GST Appellate Tribunal grants GST refund to Singapore Airlines for cancelled tickets with proof of passenger repayment
- National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange Enters Equity Space With Two New Rule-Based Indices
- Samudra Manthan Scheme Details Funding and Recovery Rules for Deepwater Exploration Wells

## Ministry of Corporate Affairs Extends FY26 Company Filing Deadlines and Waives Additional Fees

### Key Updates

- The Ministry of Corporate Affairs (MCA) has extended the deadlines for companies to file financial statements and annual returns for the financial year 2025-26.
- Companies can submit financial statements through various versions of Form AOC-4 by December 31, 2026, without paying additional fees.
- The deadline for filing annual returns using Forms MGT-7 and MGT-7A has been extended to January 31, 2027.
- The ministry's decision followed representations from stakeholders seeking an extension to complete mandatory filings.
- The Institute of Company Secretaries of India (ICSI) requested an extension until December 31, 2026, citing frequent portal outages and session timeouts.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Competition Commission of India Clears Westview Cricket and Poonawalla Sports' Acquisition of Rajasthan Royals, Paarl Royals and Barbados Royals](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/competition-commission-of-india-clears-westview-cricket-and-poonawalla-sports-ac)
- [Centre extends RoDTEP export duty refund scheme by three months to December 31, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/centre-extends-rodtep-export-duty-refund-scheme-by-three-months-to-december-31-2)
- [SEBI allows IPO issuers to revise fresh issue size by up to 50% until March 31, 2027](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sebi-allows-ipo-issuers-to-revise-fresh-issue-size-by-up-to-50-until-march-31-20)
- [United States extends $100,000 H-1B visa fee requirement through September 21, 2027](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/united-states-extends-100-000-h-1b-visa-fee-requirement-through-september-21-202)

## India Imposes Anti-Dumping Duties on Specified Chinese Titanium Dioxide Imports

### Key Updates

- India reimposed anti-dumping duties ranging from $460 to $681 per metric tonne on specified titanium dioxide imports from China for a period of five years.
- The Finance Ministry implemented the duties following findings by the Directorate General of Trade Remedies (DGTR) that the imports caused material injury to the domestic industry.
- The DGTR concluded that titanium dioxide originating in or exported from China was being imported into India at dumped prices in its final findings dated August 3, 2026.
- The notification covers specified titanium dioxide imports falling under customs tariff items 2823 00 10, 3206 11 10, and 3206 11 90.
- The highest duty rate of $681 per metric tonne applies to other specified producers and import categories, including goods exported through or from China.
- Specific producers, including LB Xiangyang Titanium Industry, are subject to a duty of $460 per metric tonne.
- The duties exclude specified titanium dioxide products used in food additives, pharmaceutical tablet film coatings, cosmetics, sunscreens, and textile and fibre production.
- The DGTR initiated a second sunset review on March 20, 2026, to examine the likelihood of continuation or recurrence of dumping and injury.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [India releases draft steel policy targeting 604 million tonnes capacity by 2047](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-releases-draft-steel-policy-targeting-604-million-tonnes-capacity-by-2047)
- [India's DGTR launches anti-dumping investigations into seven Chinese products alongside other trade remedy probes](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-s-dgtr-launches-anti-dumping-investigations-into-seven-chinese-products-al)
- [DGTR initiates countervailing duty investigation into Chinese insoluble sulphur imports](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/dgtr-initiates-countervailing-duty-investigation-into-chinese-insoluble-sulphur)
- [Government hikes petrol export duty to Rs 2.5 per litre, reduces diesel levy to Rs 8.5 per litre](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/government-hikes-petrol-export-duty-to-rs-2-5-per-litre-reduces-diesel-levy-to-r)

## Madhya Pradesh Attracts Investment Proposals Exceeding ₹15,400 Crore at Semiconductor Summit

### Key Updates

- Madhya Pradesh received investment opportunities exceeding ₹15,400 crore at the semiconductor summit held in Indore.
- Five companies were awarded letters of intent for industrial projects worth ₹9,625 crore, projected to create over 4,450 direct jobs across Bhopal, Indore, and Gwalior.
- A 50 MW hyperscale data centre in Gwalior, involving an investment of ₹6,415 crore by CyTac RE, was among the received opportunities.
- Additional investment proposals received by the state could generate around 10,000 employment opportunities, according to Chief Minister Mohan Yadav.
- Madhya Pradesh has received approximately ₹34 lakh crore in total investment proposals, with over 30 percent progressing towards implementation.
- A Semiconductor Centre of Excellence will be established in Madhya Pradesh to promote chip design, very-large-scale integration (VLSI), innovation, research and development, prototyping and skill development.
- High-tech industries, including semiconductor manufacturing and chip design, will be prioritized along the Indore–Ujjain Economic Corridor.
- The state's power generation capacity has reached approximately 32,000 MW.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Odisha Secures ₹53,894 Crore Investment Proposals Across Key Industrial Sectors at India Chem 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/odisha-secures-53-894-crore-investment-proposals-across-key-industrial-sectors-a)
- [Karnataka Tops ChipIN Centre Chip Design Support with 73 Tape-Outs, Says MeitY](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/karnataka-tops-chipin-centre-chip-design-support-with-73-tape-outs-says-meity)
- [ASML Starts India Operations, Ties Expansion to Tata Electronics Chip Unit and Government Semiconductor Push](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/asml-starts-india-operations-ties-expansion-to-tata-electronics-chip-unit-and-go)
- [Madhya Pradesh cabinet approves ₹348.07 crore to give ₹600 uniform allowance via DBT to 5.8 million school students](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/madhya-pradesh-cabinet-approves-348-07-crore-to-give-600-uniform-allowance-via-d)

## GST Appellate Tribunal grants GST refund to Singapore Airlines for cancelled tickets with proof of passenger repayment

### Key Updates

- The GST Appellate Tribunal (GSTAT), Ernakulam bench, ruled that GST paid on cancelled airline tickets can be refunded if the airline has returned both fare and GST to passengers with supporting documents.
- The ruling came in the case of Singapore Airlines Ltd versus Kochi Commissioner of CGST & CE, involving eight GST refund claims totalling ₹45,92,528 for the period October 2019 to March 2021.
- The airline had cancelled flights and returned fares and GST to passengers during the Covid-19 period in line with a Supreme Court order, but could not adjust the credit notes against output tax.
- The GSTAT, in its order dated October 16, set aside the Joint Commissioner's rejection and directed the revenue department to process the refund within two weeks along with interest.
- The Tribunal found sufficient evidence that refunds reached passengers directly, with no passing of the incidence of tax and no unjust enrichment.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [New airfare rules: no general fare regulation, caps only in exceptional public-interest cases](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/new-airfare-rules-no-general-fare-regulation-caps-only-in-exceptional-public-int)
- [SEZ Rules amended to let units take back goods rejected by domestic buyers, with conditions](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/sez-rules-amended-to-let-units-take-back-goods-rejected-by-domestic-buyers-with)
- [GST Council-approved revamp of GST return forms to curb mismatches; drafts open for public feedback from November 1](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/gst-council-approved-revamp-of-gst-return-forms-to-curb-mismatches-drafts-open-f)
- [Supreme Court Orders Insurance Cover For All Counter-Sold Train Tickets From October 27, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/supreme-court-orders-insurance-cover-for-all-counter-sold-train-tickets-from-oct)

## National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange Enters Equity Space With Two New Rule-Based Indices

### Key Updates

- NCDEX, formerly known as National Commodities and Derivatives Exchange, launched two rule-based equity indices, NDEX and FINNDEX, on October 22, 2026, marking its entry into the equity and equity derivatives markets.
- The indices use a multi-factor weighting approach: free-float market capitalisation 30 per cent, average daily traded value 30 per cent, beta 20 per cent and volatility 20 per cent.
- NDEX comprises 20 large, liquid Indian equities selected from the top 60 NSE-listed companies, while FINNDEX tracks 15 financial-sector stocks, excluding insurance companies, from the top 40 eligible companies.
- The indices are owned by NCDEX Ltd and will be calculated and maintained by NSE Indices Ltd.
- They will be reviewed and rebalanced twice a year in March and September, with each stock capped at 15 per cent weight.
- Their base month is January 2010 with a base value of 10,000, and index values will be disseminated in real time during market hours.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [NSE IFSC and London Stock Exchange Sign MoU to Explore Cross-Border Listings and Trading](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nse-ifsc-and-london-stock-exchange-sign-mou-to-explore-cross-border-listings-and)
- [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)
- [National Commodity and Derivatives Exchange (NCDEX) launches NCDEX Nidhi mutual fund platform to boost rural financial inclusion](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/national-commodity-and-derivatives-exchange-ncdex-launches-ncdex-nidhi-mutual-fu)

## Samudra Manthan Scheme Details Funding and Recovery Rules for Deepwater Exploration Wells

### Key Updates

- The Samudra Manthan scheme aims to support 60 deepwater and ultra-deepwater wells to reduce India's reliance on imported hydrocarbons.
- For exploratory wells, the government provides up to 50% of the actual cost, capped at Rs 675 crore per well, while four stratigraphic wells receive up to 100% funding, capped at Rs 1,350 crore each.
- The government's recovery of aid begins after seven years of commercial production or when the operator has recouped 50% of exploration and development costs, whichever comes first.
- The scheme is restricted to blocks awarded under the Revenue Sharing Contract regime since 2016 and must be led by state-run firms or consortia.
- The Samudra Manthan scheme is scheduled to run through FY2030-31, with Phase I spending occurring from FY 2027-28 to FY2030-31.
- A second track of the scheme provides viability gap funding for shared infrastructure, such as subsea manifolds and trunk pipelines, initially targeting the Mahanadi basin.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Cabinet Approves 'Samudra Manthan' National Offshore Exploration Scheme with ₹84,084 Crore Outlay](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/cabinet-approves-samudra-manthan-national-offshore-exploration-scheme-with-84-08)
- [ONGC Discovers Natural Gas in Deepwater Mahanadi Basin Through Samudra Manthan Campaign](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ongc-discovers-natural-gas-in-deepwater-mahanadi-basin-through-samudra-manthan-c)
- [PM Modi Announces ₹85,000 Crore for Samudra Manthan](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/pm-modi-announces-85-000-crore-for-samudra-manthan)

## Bihar Integrated Manufacturing City Gaya Limited launched with 12 MoUs of ₹4,200 crore at IMC Gaya

### Key Updates

- The National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation (NICDC) launched Bihar Integrated Manufacturing City Gaya Limited (BIMCGL) and signed 12 MoUs covering about 300 acres with proposed investments of ₹4,200 crore at Integrated Manufacturing City (IMC) Gaya; the launch was done by Bihar Chief Minister Samrat Choudhary at Bodh Gaya.
- BIMCGL is the Special Purpose Vehicle for implementing the Integrated Manufacturing Cluster at Gaya under the Amritsar–Kolkata Industrial Corridor (AKIC), part of the National Industrial Corridor Development Programme (NICDP).
- The IMC Gaya project spans 1,670 acres in the Dobhi block of Gaya district and was approved by the Centre on August 28, 2024, at a total cost of ₹1,339 crore including land acquisition costs.
- The project is expected to attract investments of about ₹16,500 crore and generate employment for around 1.10 lakh people.
- Incorporated on January 6, 2025, BIMCGL is a joint venture of the Bihar Industrial Area Development Authority (BIADA) and the National Industrial Corridor Development and Implementation Trust (NICDIT), each holding equal equity stakes.
- The Centre released the first equity tranche of ₹132 crore in September 2025 against the transfer of 415 acres, and physical construction at the site has commenced.
- IMC Gaya will focus on agro-based industries, textiles and readymade garments, furniture, handicrafts and handloom, and engineering and fabrication sectors.
- The event also featured the curtain raiser for Bihar Business Connect 2027.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Odisha Secures ₹53,894 Crore Investment Proposals Across Key Industrial Sectors at India Chem 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/odisha-secures-53-894-crore-investment-proposals-across-key-industrial-sectors-a)
- [NLC India inks three MoUs with Odisha's IPICOL for Rs 37,000 crore projects](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/nlc-india-inks-three-mous-with-odisha-s-ipicol-for-rs-37-000-crore-projects)
- [Tata Electronics Signs 16 MoUs at Semicon India 2026, Announces 363-Acre Vendor Park in Dholera](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/tata-electronics-signs-16-mous-at-semicon-india-2026-announces-363-acre-vendor-p)
- [Asia's First Telecom Manufacturing Zone to Come Up in Gwalior with Rs 5,500 Crore Investment from 24 Companies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/asia-s-first-telecom-manufacturing-zone-to-come-up-in-gwalior-with-rs-5-500-cror)

## Ladakh Becomes India's First 100 Per Cent Organic Union Territory After Fertiliser Ban by LG V K Saxena

### Key Updates

- Lieutenant Governor V K Saxena declared Ladakh India's first 100 per cent Organic Union Territory, months after the administration banned the sale, distribution and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices.
- In July, the LG ordered a complete prohibition on the procurement, distribution, sale, marketing and use of chemical and synthetic fertilisers for agricultural practices across Ladakh, and in March the administration had flagged off distribution of organic fertiliser among farmers before the sowing season.
- The organic transition is expected to improve value of locally grown produce including apricots, sea buckthorn, buckwheat, barley and vegetables through organic certification, post-harvest management, value addition, branding and stronger market linkages.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Centre adds 28 key Ladakh locations, including LAC friction points, to official Survey of India map](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/centre-adds-28-key-ladakh-locations-including-lac-friction-points-to-official-su)
- [Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Announces Notification of 100 Constituencies for Autonomous Hill Development Councils](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/ladakh-lieutenant-governor-announces-notification-of-100-constituencies-for-auto)
- [Lakshadweep declared fully literate Union Territory at Kavaratti function](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/lakshadweep-declared-fully-literate-union-territory-at-kavaratti-function)
- [CJI Surya Kant inaugurates Ladakh Bench of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh High Court at Leh, bringing courts closer to litigants](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/cji-surya-kant-inaugurates-ladakh-bench-of-jammu-and-kashmir-and-ladakh-high-cou)

## Maharashtra's Mission Murghas Targets Fodder Crisis with Silage Push and Rs 76.41 Crore Outlay

### Key Updates

- The Maharashtra government launched Mission Murghas to address fodder shortages amid drought conditions in 305 of the state's 358 talukas.
- The scheme promotes scientific silage production using water-efficient crops such as maize, jowar, and Napier grass.
- Mission Murghas has a fund allocation of Rs 76.41 crore and is integrated with the National Livestock Mission (NLM) and the State of Maharashtra's Agribusiness and Rural Transformation (SMART) scheme.
- Under the linked 'Magel Tyala Murghas' subsidy scheme, beneficiaries receive Rs 3 per kg for silage purchases via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Mission Samriddh Gaon Launched to Develop Poverty-Free, Employment-Rich Villages](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/mission-samriddh-gaon-launched-to-develop-poverty-free-employment-rich-villages)
- [Maharashtra launches first Annapurti Grain ATM in Nashik for round-the-clock foodgrain access](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/maharashtra-launches-first-annapurti-grain-atm-in-nashik-for-round-the-clock-foo)
- [Maharashtra Government Declares Drought in 265 of 358 Talukas After Deficient Kharif Rainfall](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/maharashtra-government-declares-drought-in-265-of-358-talukas-after-deficient-kh)
- [ICAR-CMFRI delivers five lakh hatchery-produced green mussel seeds to fisher communities in Maharashtra](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/icar-cmfri-delivers-five-lakh-hatchery-produced-green-mussel-seeds-to-fisher-com)

## Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan Reaches 35 Crore People, Targets Drug-Free India by 2029

### Key Updates

- The Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan (NMBA) has reached over 35 crore people through nationwide awareness activities.
- The NMBA coverage includes 13.94 crore youth and 10.86 crore women.
- The awareness activities of the NMBA have covered more than 32 lakh educational institutions.
- Union Home Minister Amit Shah has called for coordinated action to eliminate the drug trade from India by December 31, 2029.
- The NMBA aims to strengthen community participation in preventing substance abuse.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Youth Affairs Department Rolls Out 100-Week Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan with Nationwide Rashtriya Sankalp Samaroh](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/youth-affairs-department-rolls-out-100-week-nasha-mukt-yuva-abhiyan-with-nationw)
- [Nasha Mukt Bharat 2029 Roadmap: Zero Narcotics Across Borders](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/nasha-mukt-bharat-2029-roadmap-zero-narcotics-across-borders)
- [Mera Yuva Bharat Portal Surpasses 3 Crore Registered Youth, Expanding Volunteer and Leadership Opportunities](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/mera-yuva-bharat-portal-surpasses-3-crore-registered-youth-expanding-volunteer-a)
- [Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Completes Eight Years with Over 60 Crore People Covered](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ayushman-bharat-pm-jay-completes-eight-years-with-over-60-crore-people-covered)

## Kerala Launches Statewide Child Vulnerability Mapping to Track Welfare and Nutrition

### Key Updates

- The Government of Kerala announced a comprehensive statewide vulnerability mapping exercise to identify and safeguard children living in precarious conditions.
- The decision was formalized during a departmental review following the death of a toddler in Alappuzha due to suspected malnutrition.
- District Women and Child Development Officers have been designated as nodal authorities responsible for children's safety, nutrition tracking, and rehabilitation.
- Social investigation reports must be sent to Child Welfare Committees within fixed timelines, and individualized care plans must be prepared for every child in care institutions.
- Administrative guidelines mandate continuous follow-up, nutrition tracking, and growth monitoring even after rehabilitation, with District Child Protection Officers empowered to escalate rescue operations facing community or parental hurdles.
- The initiative coordinates Local Self-Governments, the Health Department, Police, and Women and Child Development functionaries, and statutory pathways ensure parental non-cooperation cannot halt protective interventions.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Ministry of Jal Shakti’s ‘Catch the Rain’ Campaign: Chhattisgarh Emerges Top-Performing State with 77,719 Water Conservation Structures Completed](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/ministry-of-jal-shakti-s-catch-the-rain-campaign-chhattisgarh-emerges-top-perfor)
- [Kerala to Hold Three-Day ‘Reimagining Keralam’ Roundtable for Implementation Roadmap of 73 Budget Projects](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/kerala-to-hold-three-day-reimagining-keralam-roundtable-for-implementation-roadm)
- [Kerala (Alteration of Name) Act, 2026 Comes Into Force; State Renamed Keralam](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/kerala-alteration-of-name-act-2026-comes-into-force-state-renamed-keralam)
- [Kerala State Biodiversity Board Begins India’s First-Ever Red List Assessment of Ecosystems](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/kerala-state-biodiversity-board-begins-india-s-first-ever-red-list-assessment-of)

## Low Female Participation in National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)

### Key Updates

- The National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS) was launched in 2016.
- NAPS entered its second phase, NAPS-2, in FY23.
- Under NAPS-2, the government contributes 25 per cent of the prescribed minimum stipend, subject to a ceiling of ₹1,500 per apprentice per month.
- The Skill India Programme, which includes NAPS, was allocated ₹2,800 crore in the Union Budget for 2026-27.
- In FY27 so far, women accounted for 29.5 per cent of apprentices under the National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS).
- The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship (MSDE) is placing special emphasis on increasing women’s participation in the scheme.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [Kerala Launches WOMN Scheme for Affordable Sanitary Napkins at KSRTC Terminals](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/kerala-launches-womn-scheme-for-affordable-sanitary-napkins-at-ksrtc-terminals)
- [Tripartite MoU supports Scheduled Tribe youth training at Rourkela livelihood centre](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/tripartite-mou-supports-scheduled-tribe-youth-training-at-rourkela-livelihood-ce)
- [Tamil Nadu CM expands Vettri Payanam free bus travel scheme for women](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/tamil-nadu-cm-expands-vettri-payanam-free-bus-travel-scheme-for-women)
- [Union Cabinet approves Rs 53,428-crore five-year outlay for renamed National Social Assistance Programme with eased disability pension norms](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/union-cabinet-approves-rs-53-428-crore-five-year-outlay-for-renamed-national-soc)

## Bhubaneswar National Urban Conclave 2026 concludes with urban reform recommendations and launch of Used Water Marketplace, UCF Portal

### Key Updates

- The National Urban Conclave 2026 concluded in Bhubaneswar on 25 October 2026 with actionable recommendations to strengthen urban governance, planning and service delivery towards the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision.
- A Used Water Marketplace under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) 2.0 was launched; it is a digital platform that connects urban local bodies (ULBs) with users and investors in the treated used-water ecosystem, allowing ULBs to list treated water available for sale to industries, institutions and private entities.
- The Urban Challenge Fund (UCF) Portal was launched to enable transparent and streamlined implementation of the UCF, serving as a common digital interface for states, Union Territories, ULBs and implementing agencies for project submission, tracking, appraisal and monitoring.
- An Online Interactive Municipal Finance Data Hub was launched, providing two-way interaction for municipal finance practitioners via online discussion forums and real-time digital data on the revenue and expenditure of ULBs.
- Eighteen selected Street Food Hubs under the Prime Minister's Street Vendor's AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme formally commenced development with the release of the first tranche of funds.
- The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) launched the children's book 'Swachhata Ke Superheroes' to promote swachhata, waste segregation and responsible waste management among young readers.
- CPWD Nirman, a web and mobile application for digital monitoring of CPWD projects, and CPWDway, a digital capacity building platform for government engineers, were launched, along with an internship scheme for undergraduate engineering and architecture students through the AICTE National Internship Portal.
- A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and the Central Public Health and Environmental Engineering Organisation (CPHEEO) for technical cooperation in promoting the circular use of treated used water.
- Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal stated that the intent of the Conclave was to deliberate on the future challenges of cities, highlighting progress under AMRUT, Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban and PM SVANidhi.
- NITI Aayog member Rajiv Gauba called for greater devolution of powers and finances to urban local bodies, citing initiatives such as the Urban Challenge Fund and City Economic Regions, and urged states to undertake structural reforms with mission funding linked to implementation.
- The Conclave's seven technical sessions covered the 'Right to Walk', 'Water, Waste and Resource Efficiency', 'Affordable Housing', 'Integrated Urban Development and Infrastructure Delivery', 'New Paradigms for Urban Service Delivery', 'Model Building Bye-Laws' and 'Model Municipal Law'.
- The session on Model Municipal Law recommended empowering Mayors with five-year tenures and defined executive powers, and revising the Model Municipal Law, 2003, through state-level consultations.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

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- [Department of Financial Services Initiates Nationwide Financial Inclusion Campaign Targeting 2.70 Lakh Local Bodies](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/department-of-financial-services-initiates-nationwide-financial-inclusion-campai)
- [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)

## Uttar Pradesh Achieves National Top Rank in Mission Karmayogi Implementation

### Key Updates

- Uttar Pradesh secured the top national position in implementing Mission Karmayogi and capacity building for government officials.
- Rajasthan and Jammu & Kashmir were ranked second and third, respectively, in the implementation of Mission Karmayogi.
- The award was presented at the Northern Regional Workshop, organized by Dr Ram Manohar Lohia UP Administration and Management Academy (RUPAM) and the Centre’s Capacity Building Commission.
- According to the iGOT Karmayogi platform, Uttar Pradesh has 19.23 lakh registered users, with 99% reported as active.
- The Unnati initiative has registered more than 350 training institutions to expand and streamline training delivery across departments.
- Under Category ‘A’, the Home Department secured first place after completing more than one crore training courses independently.
- The Basic and Secondary Education Department was placed second in Category ‘A’ for also completing over one crore courses.
- In Category ‘B’, the Higher Education Department received the first prize, while the Infrastructure and Industrial Development Department secured second position.
- The Capacity Building Commission launched the Unnati Capability Index and the National Curriculum Design Framework during the workshop.
- RUPAM signed memorandums of understanding with other state and central training institutions to strengthen institutional capacity and align skill development with role-based requirements.

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- [Uttar Pradesh Startup Policy 2026 Launched with Increased Incentive of Rs 40,000](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/uttar-pradesh-startup-policy-2026-launched-with-increased-incentive-of-rs-40-000)
- [Uttar Pradesh CM Yogi Adityanath Launches Zero-Commission Bharat Taxi and Farmer Loan Scheme](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/uttar-pradesh-cm-yogi-adityanath-launches-zero-commission-bharat-taxi-and-farmer)
- [Uttar Pradesh and Japan’s Yamanashi announce ₹600-crore MSME fund](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/uttar-pradesh-and-japan-s-yamanashi-announce-600-crore-msme-fund)

## Punjab's SANGAT Mental Health Clubs Launched in 40 Colleges to Boost Youth Wellbeing and Curb Drug Abuse

### Key Updates

- The Punjab Government launched SANGAT Mental Health Clubs in 40 colleges across the state to strengthen mental health awareness, encourage early intervention and help prevent substance abuse under its flagship 'Yudh Nashean Virudh' initiative.
- The initiative is led by Punjab's Department of Higher Education in partnership with the Aditya Birla Education Trust (ABET).
- The programme is being implemented through Mpower, a subsidiary of ABET, under its COPE (Counselling and Outreach for Peer Empowerment) framework.
- Under the programme, 25 students from each participating college will receive 14 hours of Youth Mental Health First Aid (YMHFA) training and certification to recognise emotional distress, provide initial peer support and guide fellow students towards professional assistance.
- Education Minister Harjot Singh Bains launched the initiative at an event held at Plaksha University, Mohali, describing SANGAT as a significant step towards empowering young people to address mental health challenges and substance abuse through awareness, peer support and collective action.

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- [Tripura State Mental Health Authority Issues Show-Cause Notices to 19 Unauthorised De-Addiction and Mental Health Rehabilitation Centres](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/tripura-state-mental-health-authority-issues-show-cause-notices-to-19-unauthoris)
- [Tamil Nadu meets National AIDS Control Programme-Phase V 95-95-95 target, says Health Minister](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/tamil-nadu-meets-national-aids-control-programme-phase-v-95-95-95-target-says-he)
- [Union Government Sanctions 320 New Postgraduate Medical Seats Across Six Himachal Pradesh Medical Colleges](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/union-government-sanctions-320-new-postgraduate-medical-seats-across-six-himacha)

## Nepal First Recipient of $20 Million Provisional Allocation from Global Loss and Damage Fund for Flood Recovery

### Key Updates

- The Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD) provisionally set aside $20 million for Nepal at an emergency board meeting convened on Thursday, making Nepal the first beneficiary of international funding for loss and damage.
- The FRLD was created at the COP27 meeting in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022 and was operationalised at COP28 in Dubai the following year with the announcement of the first round of pledges.
- Nepal was devastated by massive floods following a rock and ice avalanche on August 26 in the northeastern district of Rasua, which killed more than 1,300 people and left over 5,000 missing.
- Nepal's government estimates economic loss and damage from the floods at a minimum of $2.69 billion, with initial recovery and reconstruction needs pegged at a minimum of $4.71 billion.
- The $20 million provisional approval is the largest amount the FRLD can currently approve for any single event, though it is less than one per cent of Nepal's assessed requirement.
- Nepal has been asked to make a formal application for a funding request, which will be considered at the FRLD Board's next meeting in December.
- As of June this year, the FRLD had received 176 funding requests from 119 countries for a total sum of $2.8 billion, with decisions expected at the scheduled December board meeting.
- Each funding request to the FRLD must be between $5 million and $20 million, though countries can submit multiple requests for different incidents.

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- [India Dispatches First Consignment of 70-Metre Bailey Bridge Components to Flood-Hit Nepal](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/india-dispatches-first-consignment-of-70-metre-bailey-bridge-components-to-flood)
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## Air Chief Marshal AP Singh proposes phased, India-specific theatreisation plan while rejecting permanent geographic division of IAF fighter assets

### Key Updates

- Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh gave his first comprehensive articulation on the theatreisation plan on October 25, 2026, saying the Indian Air Force does not view it as an exercise to permanently divide fighter assets geographically.
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said the guiding principle for theatreisation should be centralised control where necessary and decentralised execution where appropriate, so air power can be concentrated where needed while commanders retain agility.
- The theatreisation plan, announced in 2019 as India's most ambitious military reform since Independence, seeks to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force for greater operational synergy.
- The proposed architecture envisages three integrated theatre commands: a Northern Theatre Command in Lucknow focused on China, a Western Theatre Command in Jaipur addressing challenges from Pakistan, and a Maritime Theatre Command in Thiruvananthapuram.
- Progress on theatreisation has stalled due to divergent views among the three services over the proposed command structures, and the IAF has strong reservations about splitting its fighter squadrons under the proposed structures.
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said Operation Sindoor was carried out under a joint architecture established by the Chief of Defence Staff and the three service chiefs, where centralised allocation and timely reallocation of critical resources proved decisive.
- The IAF chief said a transformation of this scale should be implemented in phases so operational readiness is never compromised, and future structures should be built around India's specific security requirements rather than replicating foreign models.
- Former Chief of Defence Staff Gen Anil Chauhan (retd.) submitted a comprehensive theatreisation proposal to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, while current CDS Gen NS Raja Subramani is focusing on key aspects of the overall plan.
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh said future conflicts will be multi-domain by nature and the three services will plan and operate together far more closely than ever before.

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## ITBP Modernizes Border Defenses with Drone Units and Underground Infrastructure Against China

### Key Updates

- The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) has raised drone platoons across all its border units and is constructing underground infrastructure along the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- The ITBP received government funds worth Rs 400 crore, with 70% of these funds earmarked for enhancing the force's drone warfare capabilities.
- The Ministry of Home Affairs has granted in-principle approval to a Rs 4,000 crore ITBP modernisation scheme; the force plans to earmark Rs 1,000 crore for drone and anti-drone systems.
- A new combat team, the Shaurya commandos, has been raised and will be stationed in every border battalion of the ITBP.
- A specialized training course named 'Strike' has been developed for ITBP personnel to prepare them for Galwan-like conflicts, with the entire force scheduled to complete the training by the end of 2027.
- The ITBP is modernizing its equipment by procuring new all-terrain, ground, and quick reaction vehicles and improving its older weapons.

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- [US-based Powerus Signs Memorandum of Understanding with Pakistan Army for Unmanned Aerial Systems](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/us-based-powerus-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-with-pakistan-army-for-unmann)
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## Indian Navy to Host Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue 2026 in Delhi Focusing on Science and Technology

### Key Updates

- The Indian Navy will host the Indo-Pacific Regional Dialogue (IPRD) 2026 in Delhi from November 3 to 5.
- The 2026 edition of the IPRD is centered on the theme 'Science, Technology and Academic Cooperation in the Indo-Pacific'.
- The dialogue will bring together experts from 18 countries across the Indo-Pacific.
- Defence Minister Rajnath Singh is scheduled to deliver the commemorative address on the first day of the event.
- The IPRD is organized in association with the National Maritime Foundation (NMF).
- The event seeks to translate the Indo-Pacific Oceans Initiative (IPOI) framework into actionable proposals under India's MAHASAGAR vision.
- The conference will include five professional thematic sessions covering areas such as Oceanographic Science and Climate Resilience and Transformative Maritime Technologies.

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- [India-Russia Bilateral Naval Exercise INDRA 2026 Concludes as INS Sahyadri Departs Vladivostok](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-russia-bilateral-naval-exercise-indra-2026-concludes-as-ins-sahyadri-depar)
- [India-Poland Joint Statement: PM Modi and Poland PM Donald Tusk Agree to Double Bilateral Trade by 2030 and Launch Defence Industry Dialogue During 21-23 October 2026 Official Visit](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/india-poland-joint-statement-pm-modi-and-poland-pm-donald-tusk-agree-to-double-b)

## India and Uzbekistan Hold 10th Joint Working Group Meeting on Counter-Terrorism in New Delhi

### Key Updates

- The 10th meeting of the India-Uzbekistan Joint Working Group on Counter Terrorism was held in New Delhi on October 22, 2026.
- The Indian delegation was co-chaired by Dr. Suhel Ajaz Khan, Additional Secretary for Counter Terrorism at the Ministry of External Affairs, while Uzbekistan's delegation was led by Pirimkulov Gulomjon Shodmonkulovich of Uzbekistan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
- Both countries agreed to strengthen counter-terrorism cooperation through information sharing, capacity building and the exchange of best practices.
- Discussions covered terrorism, radicalisation, terrorist financing, the misuse of technology by terrorist groups, and links between terrorism and transnational organised crime.
- India and Uzbekistan reaffirmed cooperation through international platforms including the United Nations (UN), the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation's Regional Anti-Terrorist Structure (SCO-RATS), and the Eurasian Group on Combating Money Laundering and Financing of Terrorism (EAG).
- Both sides agreed to further strengthen the framework of the Joint Working Group and improve coordination between their security agencies.

## Ukraine Enters NATO Support and Procurement Agency's Security Cooperation Support Partnership Framework

### Key Updates

- Ukraine has joined the Security Cooperation Support Partnership (SCSP) of the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), allowing Ukrainian defence companies to compete for alliance contracts.
- The North Atlantic Council approved the arrangement in April 2026, enabling the NSPA to issue tenders and sign contracts with Ukrainian industry.
- Established in 2025, the SCSP comprises Belgium, Luxembourg, Norway, Sweden, the United Kingdom, NATO Headquarters and Ukraine.
- NATO procurement partnerships allow participating countries to pool demand for goods and services, potentially reducing costs through economies of scale, with the NSPA managing requirements and procurement on behalf of participating nations.
- Jacqueline Borsboom is the NSPA's Director of Support to Operations.

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## India's Narcotics Control Bureau launches Operation Trident with 38 simultaneous raids across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur against transnational drug cartel

### Key Updates

- The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) spearheaded Operation Trident in the early hours of 23 October 2026, with 38 multi-agency teams striking 38 locations simultaneously across Assam, Mizoram and Manipur.
- The operation was conducted by NCB in coordination with Mizoram Police and the Enforcement Directorate (ED) to dismantle a transnational drug trafficking cartel.
- The operation revealed ₹100 crore in hawala transactions, froze 1,424 bank accounts, attached properties worth ₹17.82 crore, seized 500 detonators and ₹12 lakh cash, and led to 18 arrests.
- The syndicate, led by Myanmar-based kingpin Thangcintuang @ Chintuang @ Tluanga, trafficked methamphetamine and heroin across the India-Myanmar-Bangladesh borders through the Death Triangle Corridor.
- Strikes covered Aizawl, Champhai and the Indo-Myanmar border town of Zokhawthar in Mizoram, Churachandpur in Manipur, and the Cachar transit corridor in Assam.
- The operation aligns with the Vision Document on Narcotics Control (2026-2029), marking a shift from a seizure-centric to a network-centric and financial disruption approach, targeting eradication of every drug network by 31 December 2029.
- Key cartel members neutralised earlier include facilitator Vungkhanthawna (detained under PITNDPS Act), hawala operator Lalrampari (arrested 08.08.2024), and Assam corridor logistics head Abu Saleh @ Saifuddin (arrested from Cachar on 20.11.2025).

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## Telangana to Hold Inaugural Raksha Expo 2026 in Hyderabad from December 7 to 9

### Key Updates

- Telangana will host Raksha Expo 2026, the first State-level expo for aerospace, space, defence and internal security sectors, from December 7 to 9, 2026 at Bharat Future City near Hyderabad, alongside the Invest Telangana Global Summit 2026.
- It is the first such expo organised by any State and the first in India to bring space and internal security together with aerospace and defence on one platform.
- Raksha Expo 2026 will feature exhibitions, live technology demonstrations, drone shows and an air show on December 9.
- Chief Minister A. Revanth Reddy recently met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh and invited him to inaugurate the expo; curtain-raiser events are planned in Hyderabad on October 24 and in Delhi on October 29.
- India's defence production reached a record ₹1.78 lakh crore in 2025-26, with defence exports at an all-time high of ₹38,424 crore.
- Telangana's aerospace exports rose from ₹15,900 crore in 2023-24 to ₹30,742 crore in 2024-25, about 93% growth, with the sector growing over 30% a year.
- Hyderabad is home to nearly 30% of India's defence and aerospace industry, and the expo is designed for partnerships, drawing on the iDEX model connecting startups and MSMEs with users.
- The defence, space, aerospace and internal security sectors are integral to the Telangana Rising 2047 vision and the goal of building a $1 trillion economy by 2034.

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## India's Defence Ministry Partners with AI Mission to Develop Secure Military AI Layer

### Key Updates

- The Ministry of Defence is working with the AI Mission to develop a dedicated military AI layer providing secure domestic computing infrastructure for decision-making support, target acquisition and data fusion, leading to a sensor-to-shooter loop, Defence Secretary RK Singh said on October 23, 2026.
- Compute for the military AI layer has already been procured, and the Ministry intends to piggyback on private industries already selected by the AI Mission.
- Singh stressed self-reliance in critical capability domains, as foreign companies may withhold technology or introduce vulnerabilities such as backdoors or kill switches, though partnerships with friendly countries were not ruled out.
- The blueprint for theatreisation of commands into integrated theatre commands is ready and awaiting approval at the highest level, amid reservations from outgoing Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh.
- India has become the third-largest exporter of arms to Europe over the past year, driven mainly by artillery shells including 155-mm rounds supplied under the ReArm Europe initiative.
- Indian defence exports also include bulletproof jackets, helmets, small arms, avionics, armoured platforms, artillery gun systems, Dornier aircraft, and BrahMos missiles, with Southeast Asian buyers signing contracts or in negotiations.
- India's first security and defence partnership with the European Union was signed alongside the conclusion of the India-EU Free Trade Agreement.
- Singh said Greece and Cyprus could serve as gateways for Indian companies to participate in ReArm Europe programmes, while European firms entering India must meet Make in India requirements of at least 50 per cent localisation.

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## ISRO chief V Narayanan announces four launch pads by 2029, Kulasekarapattinam SSLV complex and Gaganyaan test plan

### Key Updates

- ISRO Chairman V Narayanan said India will have four functional launch pads by 2029, supported by private industry partnerships for commercial operations.
- ISRO is developing a 2,000-acre Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district, Tamil Nadu, with integration buildings, launch pads, rail-track systems, and telemetry, tracking and command systems.
- Narayanan clarified that ISRO will not be privatised, but will partner with private firms and startups to meet global and domestic demand for thousands of satellites.
- ISRO plans to conduct its first uncrewed Gaganyaan test within the next two months, followed by two more uncrewed tests before the crewed mission.
- About 8,000 ground-based experiments have been completed for Gaganyaan, and four astronaut-designates are undergoing specialised training.
- ISRO plans Chandrayaan-5, a collaborative lunar mission with Japan's space agency featuring a 350-kg rover designed to conduct 100 days of surface experiments.

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## Oil India Discovers Natural Gas in Matsyapuri Formation of Krishna-Godavari Basin

### Key Updates

- Oil India Limited (OIL), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise, discovered natural gas in the previously unappraised Matsyapuri formation of the Krishna-Godavari Basin.
- The discovery was made in the shallow offshore block KG-DSF/GSKW/2018, awarded to Oil India as sole operator under the Discovered Small Field framework.
- The appraisal well Godavari-1 encountered hydrocarbons in a selected pay zone at a depth of 2,024 to 2,027 metres.
- Production testing began on 16 October 2026, with gas flowing at about 1 lakh standard cubic metres per day and a maximum of 2 lakh standard cubic metres per day during continuous testing.
- Condensate flow of around 170 barrels per day with API gravity of 55.8 at 60°F and a wellhead pressure of 1,815 psi was reported.
- Oil India is preparing to test the next higher zone in the well, with additional appraisal and technical evaluation needed to establish commercial significance.

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- [Indian Oil Corporation Clears ₹2,448.70 Crore Investment for Kochi-Kanyakumari-Thoothukudi Gas Pipeline](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/indian-oil-corporation-clears-2-448-70-crore-investment-for-kochi-kanyakumari-th)
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## CCMB Scientists Discover DZIP3 Protein That Acts as Viral Alarm in Human Cells

### Key Updates

- Researchers at the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), Hyderabad, led by Dr Santosh Chauhan, identified the protein DZIP3, which detects viral RNA and activates the cell's immune response, with findings published in The EMBO Journal and Dr Rinku Sahu as first author.
- When DZIP3 encounters viral RNA it changes shape, moves to the mitochondria, tags key immune defence proteins and triggers production of Type-I interferons that prevent virus multiplication.
- The pathway showed protection against SARS-CoV-2, chikungunya and Japanese encephalitis viruses, and the team is developing small-molecule drug candidates to boost DZIP3 activity, with funding from the Department of Biotechnology.

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## ICMR-Funded GITAM Research Aims to Detect Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Via Blood Test

### Key Updates

- The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) has funded a project led by Rama Rao Malla, professor in the Department of Life Sciences at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, to develop a blood test for early detection of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC).
- The project, titled 'Exploring Serum Exosomal microRNAs as Minimally-Invasive Biomarkers for Early Diagnosis of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer', is sanctioned under ICMR's 'Follow-on Nischayak Anveshan' Extramural Grants programme with an outlay of over ₹2 crore over three years.
- TNBC lacks receptors for oestrogen, progesterone and HER2, accounts for 10% to 15% of breast cancers, is increasingly diagnosed in women in their mid-30s and 40s, and is treated mainly with chemotherapy to which many patients develop resistance.
- The study will analyse exosomes, nanosized vesicles released by cells including tumour cells, comparing serum samples from early-stage TNBC patients supplied by Mahatma Gandhi Cancer Hospital & Research Institute (MGCHRI) and GITAM Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (GIMSR) with samples from healthy women.
- Sequencing and digital PCR will identify candidate microRNAs, and a machine-learning model will be trained to distinguish early-stage TNBC patients from healthy individuals, with the goal of developing a kit-based test.
- Co-investigators include P. Kiranmayi, P. Vasudevaraju, A. Krishna Chaitanya and M. Srivenkatesh of GITAM School of Science, K. Viswa Kalyan of GIMSR, and V. Muralikrishna of MGCHRI.

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- [US FDA Approves AstraZeneca's Etcamah with CDK4/6 Inhibitor for HR-Positive Advanced Breast Cancer](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/us-fda-approves-astrazeneca-s-etcamah-with-cdk4-6-inhibitor-for-hr-positive-adva)
- [Indian Scientists Develop RK-251 Cancer Drug](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/indian-scientists-develop-rk-251-cancer-drug)
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## Microsoft AI Tool Achieves Diagnostic Accuracy Exceeding Human Physicians in Complex Medical Cases

### Key Updates

- Microsoft researchers developed an artificial intelligence tool that diagnoses patients step by step, following a process similar to doctors.
- The AI model employs an 'orchestrator' to coordinate a simulated panel of clinical experts, which determines which questions to ask, which examinations to conduct, and which tests to order.
- The system was tested on more than 300 unusual and complex medical cases.
- The AI tool was found to be more than twice as accurate as general physicians who were using textbooks and the internet to assess patients.
- The AI model also outperformed human physicians in scenarios drawn from a major database of emergency department admissions.
- The diagnostic workups designed by the AI orchestrator were found to cost less than those conducted by human doctors.
- Future evaluation of the tool's triage capabilities in emergency department waiting rooms is planned in collaboration with Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston.

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- [Government prohibits reuse of single-use medical devices in healthcare facilities](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/government-prohibits-reuse-of-single-use-medical-devices-in-healthcare-facilitie)
- [Ministry of Ayush Issues Standard Treatment Guidelines for Skin Disorders in Ayurveda, Siddha, Unani and Homoeopathy](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/ministry-of-ayush-issues-standard-treatment-guidelines-for-skin-disorders-in-ayu)
- [DRDO's Hyderabad Lab DLRL Develops Man-Portable Electronic Intelligence System to Track Enemy Radar Signals](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/drdo-s-hyderabad-lab-dlrl-develops-man-portable-electronic-intelligence-system-t)
- [China Develops Xianglong Tunnel Boring Machine](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/china-develops-xianglong-tunnel-boring-machine)

## Guntur Doctors Treat Drug-Resistant Knee Implant Infection with Phage Therapy in India First

### Key Updates

- A team at Samishta Hospital (SHRI), Guntur, treated a 72-year-old man's carbapenem-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection of an artificial knee joint with phage therapy, reported as India's first successful use of phage therapy for such an infection.
- The infection followed knee replacement surgery in June 2025 and persisted despite surgical debridements, prosthetic component exchanges and prolonged intravenous antibiotics.
- The team, led by Dr Kalyan Chakravarthy Koganti, collaborated with the phage laboratory of SRM University (Andhra Pradesh) headed by Dr Sutharsan Govindarajan to isolate phages active against the patient's bacterial strain.
- A cocktail of three lytic phages, which alone only temporarily reduced bacterial counts, prevented regrowth in vitro and was delivered directly into the joint through a drainage tube over 10 days, with colistin given initially alongside.
- Further major surgery was deemed too risky in December when the patient's pain was rated 9 out of 10 given his age and frail condition.
- Follow-up showed clinical resolution, with joint-fluid cultures in June 2026 reported negative and the patient healthy and antibiotic-free.
- The case report was published in the International Journal of Infectious Diseases (IJID Regions) on 22 October 2026.

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- [Health Ministry Bars Routine Stem Cell Therapy for Autism, Restricts Use to Approved Trials](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/health-ministry-bars-routine-stem-cell-therapy-for-autism-restricts-use-to-appro)
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- [ICMR-Developed SHetA2 Oral Drug Targets HPV-Related Cervical Precancerous Lesions](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/icmr-developed-sheta2-oral-drug-targets-hpv-related-cervical-precancerous-lesion)

## Study identifies free-ranging dogs as a key threat to vultures at Bikaner carcass dumpsite in the Thar desert

### Key Updates

- A new study published in the journal Biological Conservation found that perennially free-ranging dogs pose a serious threat to vultures at a livestock carcass dumpsite in the Jorbeer Conservation Reserve near Bikaner in Rajasthan's Thar desert.
- Himalayan and Eurasian griffons, whose numbers have dwindled catastrophically in India, congregate at the Jorbeer dumpsite every winter, along with Egyptian vultures, steppe eagles, black ibises, cattle egrets and wild pigs.
- India's vulture populations plummeted by over 90% in the 1990s, largely due to the veterinary use of the anti-inflammatory drug diclofenac in livestock, causing local extinctions in several parts of the country.
- Vultures spent about half as long on carcasses at the open Bikaner dumpsite as at dog-free enclosures, and dog presence restricted vulture feeding largely to the afternoon instead of across daylight hours.
- The study, co-authored by Abi T. Vanak of the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, concludes that dogs are a major threat to vultures at the site.
- Dogs have contributed to the extinction of 11 vertebrate species globally and prey on over 80 species in India, including blackbucks, desert foxes and olive ridley turtles, and have been documented attacking snow leopards in Ladakh.
- The study recommends managing dog populations and creating dispersed, dog-proof vulture feeding sites or 'safe zones' to encourage landscape-level foraging and reduce dependence on a single site.

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- [International Vulture Day 2026 – September 5](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/international-vulture-day-2026-september-5)
- [National Workshop on Vulture Conservation Held in Panchkula](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/national-workshop-on-vulture-conservation-held-in-panchkula)

## Tamil Nadu Orders Local Bodies to Enforce Rainwater Harvesting in All Buildings Under Thuli Campaign

### Key Updates

- Tamil Nadu has ordered local bodies across the state to enforce mandatory rainwater harvesting in all urban and rural buildings and restore defunct structures as part of a statewide campaign for the northeast monsoon.
- The order was issued on October 16 and calls for inspections of government offices, schools, hospitals, residential and commercial buildings to ensure rainwater harvesting systems are functional.
- Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay inaugurated an awareness campaign and launched 'Thuli', the campaign's raindrop logo, at an event on Marina Beach in Chennai.
- Under the order, rooftops, rainwater channels, filter chambers, recharge pits and wells will be cleaned and desilted, with measures including recharge trenches, shafts, percolation pits, storage structures and silt traps.
- The Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) department will coordinate the initiative, with a state-level committee headed by the chief secretary reviewing progress and district collectors chairing district-level committees.
- Annual awards will be presented to the best-performing district, local body, school or college, government institution and community organisation, judged on structures created and restored, functionality, coverage, participation, innovation and maintenance.
- The initiative will be a continuous process with periodic inspections rather than one with a fixed deadline, according to a senior MAWS official.
- Tamil Nadu first mandated rainwater harvesting with a large-scale promotion drive in 2001, and under the Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act, 1998, local bodies can install structures at owners' cost and recover expenses like property tax.
- A similar push in 2019 under the AIADMK regime set a three-month deadline and launched community recharge wells on 15,000 streets in Chennai, but most structures were not properly maintained.
- In Chennai, the corporation will work with the Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) to enable residents to seek repairs to existing rainwater harvesting systems.

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## Indian Scientists Show Black Hole Spin Shapes X-ray Flickering Frequencies

### Key Updates

- Researchers at the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), under India's Department of Science and Technology, led a simulation-based study linking black hole spin to quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in X-ray emissions.
- The team included collaborators from the Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center in Poland and Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Rohilkhand University in Bareilly, Uttar Pradesh; the findings were reported by the Press Information Bureau on October 23, 2026, and published in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics.
- The study used numerical simulations of viscous accretion flows, showing that shock waves oscillating in matter falling toward a black hole can explain quasi-periodic X-ray variations.
- Slowly spinning black holes place oscillating shocks farther out, producing lower frequencies, while rapid spin allows the shock to move closer and a wider range of frequencies to emerge.
- For a black hole about ten times the Sun's mass, the model predicts some oscillation frequencies could exceed 100 hertz under very high spin conditions.

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- [Scientists identify S301 as fastest star in Milky Way](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/scientists-identify-s301-as-fastest-star-in-milky-way)
- [NASA Telescope Study of Blazars Uncovers New X-Ray Clues About Black Hole Energy](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/nasa-telescope-study-of-blazars-uncovers-new-x-ray-clues-about-black-hole-energy)

## Amur Falcons Complete 20,000-Kilometer Migration and Prepare for Arabian Sea Crossing in Manipur

### Key Updates

- Two satellite-tagged Amur falcons, Apapang and Alang, safely returned to their stopover at Chiuluan village in Manipur’s Tamenglong district, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav confirmed.
- Amur falcons complete a round-trip migration of approximately 20,000 kilometers between breeding grounds in northeastern China and wintering habitats in southern Africa, passing through Manipur.
- These tiny raptors weigh about 160 grams, which is comparable to the weight of a smartphone.
- The species is strictly protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The joint satellite-tracking project is being conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India and the Manipur Forest Department to safeguard key roosting habitats.
- During their stopover in Manipur, the falcons gorge on termites and insects for two to three weeks to build fat reserves for the next leg of their journey.
- The next phase of the migration involves a non-stop 6,000-kilometer flight across the Indian subcontinent and the Arabian Sea towards Somalia, lasting 95 hours.

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- [Census 2027: Centre Defers House-Listing in Manipur](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/census-2027-centre-defers-house-listing-in-manipur)
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## Radio-Tagged Madras Hedgehog Gives Birth During Tamil Nadu Conservation Study

### Key Updates

- The Madras Hedgehog Conservation Project 2025-2026, run under the Tamil Nadu government's conservation of lesser-known endangered species scheme with ₹20.50 lakh allocated, is spearheaded by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) and covers Thoothukudi, Kallakurichi, Tirunelveli and Salem districts.
- A survey of 480 respondents across 24 villages around the Kuthiraimozhi red sand dunes in Thoothukudi district found that about 91% reported seeing Madras hedgehogs much less frequently than before and about 95% perceived a population decline, with hunting and poaching the most cited threat at 34.4%, followed by habitat loss, deforestation, and pesticide use or chemical pollution.
- Land use and land cover analysis in Thoothukudi revealed substantial landscape changes over the past two decades, highlighting the consequences of land conversion and habitat fragmentation for the hedgehog's persistence and landscape connectivity.
- To track home range, movement patterns and habitat use, the AIWC team deployed very high frequency (VHF) radio telemetry with animal-mounted transmitters, a receiver and a directional antenna, fitting three hedgehogs (MH01, MH02 and MH03); MH01 and MH03 were tagged at Peikulam and Sathankulam respectively, and MH02 in Theri Kaadu Reserve Forest.
- MH01 gave birth to a hoglet on October 11, 2026, at the Peikulam grassland landscape in Thoothukudi district; after monitoring from September 24 and three days inside its burrow, a camera placed nearby confirmed the birth, offering insights into the breeding behaviour of the species Paraechinus nudiventris endemic to southern India.

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## Bharat Biotech Reduces Price of MOSQIVAC Malaria Vaccine by Nearly 40%

### Key Updates

- Bharat Biotech announced a nearly 40% reduction in the price of MOSQIVAC, the RTS,S/AS01 malaria vaccine, under an agreement executed by UNICEF and financially backed by Gavi.
- The Hyderabad-based company said the price cut will help protect another 1 million children and generate USD 50 million in savings.
- Developed by GSK, RTS,S/AS01 is the world's first malaria vaccine, now manufactured by Bharat Biotech under the brand name MOSQIVAC.
- The company highlighted the urgency of the move, noting one child dies from malaria every minute.

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- [Takeda's Dengue Vaccine Qdenga, Distributed by Dr Reddy's, Expected in India by First Half of 2027](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/takeda-s-dengue-vaccine-qdenga-distributed-by-dr-reddy-s-expected-in-india-by-fi)
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## US Department of Energy Designates Helium as Critical Material for Tech and Manufacturing

### Key Updates

- The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) designated helium as a critical material on Friday, October 23, 2026.
- This designation was made under the Energy Act of 2020.
- Helium is indispensable to semiconductor production and advanced technologies due to its lack of viable substitutes in many critical applications.
- Helium is produced in the U.S. as a byproduct of natural gas processing in states including Kansas, Texas, Wyoming, Colorado, Arizona, New Mexico, and Oklahoma.
- Kansas leads U.S. helium production, refining crude and Grade-A helium from natural gas in the Hugoton and Greenwood areas.
- U.S. production of helium is currently constrained by limited refining capacity and lengthy permitting timelines.

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- [China Completes Testing of World’s Largest Fusion Magnet](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/07/china-completes-testing-of-world-s-largest-fusion-magnet)
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## Scientists Discover New Magma Accumulation Beneath Japan's Kikai Supervolcano

### Key Updates

- Kikai Caldera, a supervolcano located off Japan's coast, is accumulating new magma 7,300 years after its last catastrophic eruption.
- Researchers from Kobe University and the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) used airgun arrays and ocean bottom seismometers to investigate the underwater volcanic structure.
- Seismic analysis revealed a substantial region containing a high proportion of magma directly beneath the site of Kikai’s catastrophic eruption.
- Chemical analyses determined that the magma currently stored beneath Kikai is newly injected material, differing in composition from the material released during the ancient eruption.
- The research helps scientists understand how giant volcanic systems rebuild their underground magma supply, offering insights into systems like Yellowstone and Toba.

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## Pankaj Advani Captures 29th World Crown at World Billiards Championship in Birmingham

### Key Updates

- Pankaj Advani won the WBL World Billiards Championship in Birmingham to claim his 29th career world title, defeating England's Rob Hall in the final.
- The 41-year-old, the only Indian in the last-four stage, beat compatriot Sourav Kothari 1134-575 in the quarterfinal and David Causier 1607-1271 in the semi-final.
- In the five-hour final, Advani trailed 697-1014 before producing a 587 break, the highest of this year's world championship, to seal victory.
- Advani will now prepare for the IBSF World Snooker Championship to be held in Indore in mid-November.

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## Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy secure individual gold medals at European Chess Club Cup 2026; Bodhana Sivanandan achieves youngest female IM record.

### Key Updates

- Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy won individual gold medals at the European Chess Club Cup 2026, which was held in Montenegro.
- Sarin, representing Novy Bor Chess Club, scored five points from six games in the open competition, recording four wins and two draws.
- Koneru Humpy claimed the individual gold medal on Board 2, scoring 4.5 points from six games in the seven-round women's tournament.
- Humpy helped Cercle d'Echecs de Monte-Carlo win the women's team championship at the European Chess Club Cup 2026.
- Pentala Harikrishna of Novy Bor secured the individual silver medal on Board 3 with five points from six games, while Karthikeyan Murali of Team Electroprivreda won the individual bronze medal on Board 2 with 4.5 points from six games.
- Novy Bor Chess Club finished second in the team competition, narrowly missing the title behind Bayegan Pendik Sports Club.
- Bodhana Sivanandan became the youngest female International Master (IM) at the age of 11, breaking a 38-year-old record set by Judit Polgar.
- Sivanandan competed for She Plays to Win Lionesses in the European Women's Chess Club Cup 2026, scoring 5.5 points from 7 games on Board 1.
- Her path to the IM title included defeating Belarusian International Master Olga Badelka in the third round, raising her rating to 2399.4.
- Sivanandan's 32-move victory over Sweden's Woman International Master Viktoria Johansson helped her join the list of the 10 youngest IMs of all time.

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## First Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship Gets Underway in Ahmedabad

### Key Updates

- The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship is being held in Ahmedabad from October 23 to 31, 2026, featuring 13 countries and more than 400 players across 62 matches.
- The tournament is organised by the Amateur Kabaddi Federation of India (AKFI) with the approval of the International Kabaddi Federation (IKF); the men's competition has 39 matches and the women's edition has 23 matches.
- India's men's team is captained by Surjeet Singh with Naveen Kumar as vice-captain, while Nidhi Sharma leads the women's team with Ritu as vice-captain.
- The participating nations are India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania, Canada, Singapore, Malaysia, Uganda, England, Scotland and Australia.
- The semifinals in both categories will be held on October 30, followed by the finals on October 31.
- Ahmedabad is set to host the Commonwealth Games in 2030, and organisers hope the championship will make a case for kabaddi's inclusion in the Commonwealth Games.

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- [Commonwealth Games 2030: Glasgow Hands Over Games Flag to Ahmedabad](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/commonwealth-games-2030-glasgow-hands-over-games-flag-to-ahmedabad)
- [Gujarat Government Sets Aside Rs 301 Crore for Hosting the 2030 Commonwealth Games](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/gujarat-government-sets-aside-rs-301-crore-for-hosting-the-2030-commonwealth-gam)
- [Aditya Mehta Defeats Dhvaj Haria to Claim Commonwealth Snooker Gold in Ahmedabad](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/aditya-mehta-defeats-dhvaj-haria-to-claim-commonwealth-snooker-gold-in-ahmedabad)
- [Ahmedabad to Host Commonwealth Cue Sports Championships in October 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/ahmedabad-to-host-commonwealth-cue-sports-championships-in-october-2026)

## Lionel Messi wins the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports

### Key Updates

- Lionel Messi received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports on October 23, 2026.
- The award recognizes Messi's sporting accomplishments and his charitable work through the Leo Messi Foundation.
- Messi is the first soccer player to receive the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports as an individual.

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- [Lionel Messi Retires from International Football](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/lionel-messi-retires-from-international-football)

## FIFA Picks USA as Host of First-Ever Women’s Club World Cup in 2028

### Key Updates

- FIFA announced that the United States will host the inaugural FIFA Women's Club World Cup from January 5-30, 2028, featuring 19 club teams from all six confederations.
- The first seven confirmed participants are Arsenal FC (England), Club América (Mexico), FC Barcelona (Spain), Gotham FC (United States), Naegohyang Women's FC (DPR Korea), SC Corinthians (Brazil) and Wuhan Jiangda WFC (China PR).
- The remaining 12 slots will be decided via UEFA and Concacaf ranking systems, while FIFA will establish a club ranking mechanism for the other confederations.
- FIFA chief women's football officer Dame Sarai Bareman said the US was chosen for its success staging the 2025 men's Club World Cup and the 2026 men's World Cup, strong interest in women's football and elite sporting infrastructure.
- The United States also hosted the expanded 32-team men's Club World Cup in the summer of 2025.

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- [Smriti Mandhana Named India Women's White-Ball Captain as Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/smriti-mandhana-named-india-women-s-white-ball-captain-as-harmanpreet-kaur-steps)
- [FIH Hockey World Cup 2026: Germany Clinch Men’s Title, Argentina Win Women’s Crown](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/fih-hockey-world-cup-2026-germany-clinch-men-s-title-argentina-win-women-s-crown)
- [All India Football Federation (AIFF) Announces First-Ever U15 Women's Youth League Starting October 15](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/all-india-football-federation-aiff-announces-first-ever-u15-women-s-youth-league)

## India records best-ever 114-medal haul and fourth place at Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, with world records and multiple podium sweeps

### Key Updates

- India finished fourth in the overall standings at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, with a record 114 medals - 30 gold, 35 silver and 49 bronze.
- The tally surpassed India's previous best of 111 medals (29 gold, 31 silver, 51 bronze, fifth place) at the Hangzhou Asian Para Games in 2023.
- Para athletics was India's biggest medal contributor with 65 medals including 22 gold, while the remaining eight golds came from para archery, para badminton and para shooting.
- Sheetal Devi won three medals including two gold and one silver; Thulasimathi Murugesan (one gold, two silver), Ravi Karthik (two silver, one bronze) and Himanshu Nandal (three bronze) also won three medals each.
- Mona Agarwal, Nishad Kumar, Pranav Soorma, Simran and Dilip Gavit each won two gold medals at the Games.
- Indian athletes set world records: Haney with 60.49m in men's javelin F37/38, Sandeep with 52.28 seconds in men's 400m T64, Mona Agarwal in women's 50m rifle three positions SH1, and Sheetal Devi and Toman Kumar with a world-best 1,402 points in compound mixed team archery qualification.
- India swept all three podium places in the men's shot put F46, discus throw F43/F44/F62/F64 and high jump T42/T63 events.
- Two-time Paralympic champion Sumit Antil defended his men's javelin throw F42-44/61-64 gold with a 72.46m throw, leading an Indian sweep with Mahendra Gurjar (silver, 59.03m) and Sandip Sanjay Sargar (bronze, 64.48m), while Pranav Soorma defended his men's club throw F51 gold with a Games record of 32.87m ahead of Korea's Jiwon Jung (silver, 28.40m) and India's Dharamvir (bronze, 27.71m).
- In para badminton, Nitesh Kumar beat fellow Indian and two-time champion Pramod Bhagat 21-18, 21-16 for the men's singles SL3 gold, while Naveen Sivakumar defeated Indonesia's Fredy Setiawan 21-9, 21-17 in 36 minutes for the SL4 gold.
- Thulasimathi Murugesan lost 18-21, 11-21 to China's Yang Qiuxia in the SU5 final and Nithya Sre Sumathy Sivan lost 12-21, 13-21 to China's Li Fengmei in the SH6 final, both settling for silver.
- Mahendra Gurjar ranked ahead of Sandip Sanjay Sargar despite the shorter throw because combined-event rankings use RAZA points, and Gurjar had the higher RAZA points score.

### Related Current Affairs Coverage

- [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 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)
- [Indian Athletes Secure Multiple Medals and World Records at the Asian Para Games](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indian-athletes-secure-multiple-medals-and-world-records-at-the-asian-para-games)
- [President Murmu hails Kumkum Mohod and Pranavi Urs for historic Asian Games 2026 golds](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/president-murmu-hails-kumkum-mohod-and-pranavi-urs-for-historic-asian-games-2026)

## Prime Minister Narendra Modi opens ₹169-crore Reserve Bank of India data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Odisha

### Key Updates

- Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's ₹169-crore data centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on October 25, 2026.
- The RBI facility covers 18.55 acres at Info Valley-II in Jatni; its foundation stone was laid by then RBI governor Shaktikanta Das on March 22, 2023.
- The data centre will host mission-critical payment and settlement systems and improve the reach, efficiency and reliability of digital financial services.
- The site was selected for geographical stability, away from seismically active zones and high-risk international border areas, to reduce natural-disaster and geopolitical risks.
- The Jatni data centre is the RBI's second facility of its kind after the one in Navi Mumbai, according to Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi.
- The Cybersecurity Training Institute will support cybersecurity and enterprise-technology training, research and sector capability development, including quantum computing and artificial intelligence relevant to banking, financial services and insurance.
- The data centre is certified to Uptime Institute Tier IV standard and is among the largest Tier IV certified facilities in the banking, financial services and insurance sector worldwide.

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- [RBI directs regulated entities to forensically verify systems before reuse after data breaches](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/rbi-directs-regulated-entities-to-forensically-verify-systems-before-reuse-after)
- [Telangana Aims for 5 GW of Data Centre Capacity by 2029 as Microsoft's South Central Cloud Region Launches in Hyderabad](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/telangana-aims-for-5-gw-of-data-centre-capacity-by-2029-as-microsoft-s-south-cen)
- [C-DOT Inks MoU with IIT (BHU) Varanasi to Launch Its Sixth Centre of Excellence for Advanced Telecom Research](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/c-dot-inks-mou-with-iit-bhu-varanasi-to-launch-its-sixth-centre-of-excellence-fo)
- [National University of Singapore (NUS) and partners unveil world-first biological data centre with 16 million living human neurons](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/national-university-of-singapore-nus-and-partners-unveil-world-first-biological)

## Gujarat announces over Rs 500 crore in healthcare projects with 255 new facilities and a 521-bed neuroscience institute at Ahmedabad Civil Hospital

### Key Updates

- Healthcare projects worth over Rs 500 crore were announced in Gujarat, with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel inaugurating 255 new medical facilities and laying foundation stones for 45 more projects.
- The newly completed facilities cost Rs 185 crore and the foundation-laid projects an estimated Rs 347 crore, taking the combined investment to Rs 532 crore.
- The biggest project is a Rs 223-crore Institute of Neuroscience and Research Centre on the Ahmedabad Civil Hospital campus, with a built-up area of 58,831 square metres, 521 beds and 13 operation theatres.
- The neuroscience institute's 521 beds include 288 general ward, 160 ICU, 57 special and semi-special and 16 triage beds, and it will treat strokes, brain tumours and complex brain and spinal cord disorders.
- The state plans new Medicities at Vasai and Kamrej on the Ahmedabad model with an estimated investment of around Rs 3,000 crore, cardiology and neurology expansion in Gandhinagar and Surat, and a proposed Spine Hospital within the Ahmedabad Medicity complex.
- Gujarat's medical colleges increased from eight in 2001-02 to 43 in 2025-26, while MBBS seats rose from 1,375 to 7,525 in the same period.
- Under Ayushman Bharat, eligible beneficiaries in Gujarat can receive free treatment of up to Rs 10 lakh, and more than 2.87 crore people in the state have been issued Ayushman cards.
- More than 1,400 ambulances operate round the clock under the 108 Emergency Service in Gujarat, and the state's hospitals ranked first in the country in organ donation.

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- [Gujarat Assembly Passes Ease of Doing Business Bill 2026 Allowing 24x7 Shop Operations](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/gujarat-assembly-passes-ease-of-doing-business-bill-2026-allowing-24x7-shop-oper)
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- [Jagruti Rehabilitation Centre Receives National Honour for Clinical Excellence in Mental Health and Wellness](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/09/jagruti-rehabilitation-centre-receives-national-honour-for-clinical-excellence-i)

## Mysuru Dasara 2026: 3,473-Drone Peacock Display Earns Guinness World Record in Karnataka

### Key Updates

- On October 18, 2026, a drone show at the Torchlight Parade Ground in Bannimantap, Mysuru, set a Guinness World Records title for the largest aerial display of a bird using multirotor drones, with 3,473 drones forming a dancing peacock.
- The show was organised by the Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation Limited (CESC) and executed by Delhi-based BotLab Dynamics, a company incubated at IIT Delhi.
- The display also featured a lion, a butterfly, a soldier holding the Tricolour, Goddess Chamundeshwari, the Chakra and Lord Krishna.
- In 2025, the same team had set a Guinness World Records title by creating a jumping tiger using 2,983 drones.
- Karnataka Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar shared the event on X and praised the peacock formation and the Guinness World Record achieved by CESC as a celebration of Karnataka's creativity, culture and spirit of progress.

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- [Nathan Thomas Became World's Youngest Male Professor](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/nathan-thomas-became-world-s-youngest-male-professor)
- [Most Skydivers with National Flags Set Guinness World Record on August 7, 2026](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/08/most-skydivers-with-national-flags-set-guinness-world-record-on-august-7-2026)
- [South Africa's Pieter Coetze Breaks Men's 50m Backstroke Short-Course World Record in Tashkent](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/south-africa-s-pieter-coetze-breaks-men-s-50m-backstroke-short-course-world-reco)

## Assam Cabinet finalises 2025 Assam Baibhav, Saurav and Gaurav awardees and approves graded limestone royalty rules

### Key Updates

- The Assam Cabinet finalised the recipients of the Assam Baibhav, Assam Saurav and Assam Gaurav awards for 2025, with Dr Harsha Bhattacharyya, president and founder trustee of Srimanta Sankaradeva Nethralaya, selected for the Assam Baibhav, the state's highest civilian honour, for his contribution to eye care and healthcare services.
- Four people were chosen for the Assam Saurav 2025: wildlife expert Dr Kushal Konwar Sarma, Padma Shri awardee Nuruddin Ahmed, singer Pulak Banerjee and greater adjutant stork conservationist Dr Purnima Devi Barman.
- The Assam Gaurav 2025 will go to 12 recipients, including footballer Holicharan Narzary, visually impaired cricketer Simu Das, chess grandmaster Mayong Chakraborty, manuscript conservationist Dhanjit Talukdar and NGO Kolong Kopili.
- The Cabinet approved the Assam Mineral Regulation and Dealers (Amendment) Rules, 2026, introducing separate grades for extracted limestone, including high, medium and base cement grades across three categories, so royalty collection is linked to limestone quality instead of a uniform rate.
- The Cabinet approved election rules for the Mising Autonomous Council and the Sonowal Kachari Autonomous Council, with the State Election Commission directed to conduct polls in November.
- The 2025 awards will be presented in December, while the 2026 award recipients will be announced within a month, with honours scheduled for January 2027.
- A Cabinet sub-committee comprising ministers Keshab Mahanta, Ajanta Neog, Ranoj Pegu and Jayanta Mallabaruah oversaw the award selection process.

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## Architecture Student from Kochi Awarded 28th Charles Correa Gold Medal in Mumbai

### Key Updates

- The 28th Charles Correa Gold Medal, presented in Mumbai on 22 October 2026, was awarded to an architecture student from Kochi by the Charles Correa Foundation (CCF).
- The winning undergraduate thesis, titled 'Energy Commons: Reimagining energy infrastructure as a place for civic engagement', reimagines energy infrastructure as a space for public participation.
- The prize consists of a gold medal and ₹25,000, and the theme for 2025–27 is 'Equitability through Design'.

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- [Indian team secures four gold and one silver medal at 19th International Olympiad on Astronomy and Astrophysics](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indian-team-secures-four-gold-and-one-silver-medal-at-19th-international-olympia)
- [Indian Athletes Secure Multiple Medals and World Records at the Asian Para Games](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/indian-athletes-secure-multiple-medals-and-world-records-at-the-asian-para-games)
- [Aditya Mehta Defeats Dhvaj Haria to Claim Commonwealth Snooker Gold in Ahmedabad](https://www.dailyconnects.in/current-affairs/2026/10/aditya-mehta-defeats-dhvaj-haria-to-claim-commonwealth-snooker-gold-in-ahmedabad)