Prasar Bharati and In-Dot Sports launch Kisan Cricket League.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Prasar Bharati and In-Dot Sports announced the Kisan Cricket League on October 8, 2026 to identify cricket and singing talent from rural India.
Key Highlights:
1. The inaugural February season will use a professional 15-over white-ball format.
2. Seven teams with 140 cricketers and 30 singers will play 45 matches.
3. Matches and player biographies will stream free on the Waves platform.
4. The league combines a national cricket competition with singing contests.
5. Talent-pool registration will open within two to three weeks.
Additional Information:
1. Prasar Bharati was established on November 23, 1997 under its Act.
2. It is India’s largest public broadcaster and is headquartered in New Delhi.
India’s first high-altitude snow leopard safari launched in Ladakh.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Ladakh Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena launched India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari centred on snow leopard trails on October 8, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. SHAN Society and the Union Territory Forest Department operate the safari.
2. Routes pass through Hemis National Park, Changthang and Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary.
3. Coverage includes Nubra, Zanskar, Sham, Kargil and Drass.
4. Ladakh has 477 snow leopards, over 38 mammal and 340 bird species.
5. The model gives local communities conservation roles and economic benefits.
Additional Information:
1. The snow leopard, Panthera uncia, is Ladakh’s state animal and IUCN-listed Vulnerable.
2. Hemis in Leh is India’s largest national park and is known for high snow-leopard density.
Canadian author Anne Carson wins 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The Swedish Academy announced Canadian poet and essayist Anne Carson as the 2026 Nobel Prize in Literature laureate on October 8, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Anne Carson is a noted Canadian poet and essayist.
2. The 2025 laureate was Hungarian novelist Laszlo Krasznahorkai, author of Satantango.
3. South Korean author Han Kang won in 2024; The Vegetarian won the 2016 International Booker Prize.
4. Norwegian author Jon Fosse, known for works in Nynorsk, won in 2023.
5. The Literature Prize was created through Alfred Nobel’s will and first awarded in 1901.
Additional Information:
1. French poet Sully Prudhomme received the inaugural Literature Prize.
2. Rabindranath Tagore became the first Indian and Asian laureate in 1913.
New silkworm seed infrastructure inaugurated in Jorhat.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Textiles Minister of State Pabitra Margherita inaugurated a Grainage Building and Cold Storage at the CSB Silkworm Seed Production Centre in Jorhat, Assam on October 8, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The facility was built under the North-East Region Textile Promotion Scheme.
2. It can produce 30 lakh disease-free mulberry hybrid layings annually.
3. Cold storage can preserve up to 1 crore disease-free layings.
4. Assam supplies 84% of India’s Muga and 74% of Eri silk production.
5. Sericulture was estimated to employ about 29.50 lakh people in 2025-26.
Additional Information:
1. The Central Silk Board was established in 1948 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.
2. India uniquely produces Mulberry, Eri, Muga, Tropical Tasar and Temperate Tasar commercial silks.
Israel honours Indian pilot Smit Machchhar with civilian heroism award.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Israeli President Isaac Herzog announced the Presidential Award for Civilian Heroism for Indian pilot Captain Smit Machchhar on October 9, 2026 for averting an in-flight disaster.
Key Highlights:
1. Machchhar commanded flydubai flight FZ1073 from Dubai to Tel Aviv on September 30.
2. An Omani co-pilot attacked inside the cockpit with a crash axe while 174 people were aboard.
3. Despite a skull fracture, Machchhar opened the cockpit door so passengers and crew could intervene.
4. The action stopped the attacker taking control during a rapid descent.
5. Two reserve pilots helped divert and land the aircraft safely at Tabuk, Saudi Arabia.
Additional Information:
1. Israel’s president is Isaac Herzog, capital Jerusalem and currency New Shekel.
2. Flydubai is a UAE government-owned low-cost airline established in 2008.
National Film Archive acquires three historic Sivaji Ganesan prints.
Dated: 13 October 2026
NFDC-National Film Archive of India acquired three historic 35mm Tamil film prints starring Sivaji Ganesan on October 8, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. All three films were directed by A. P. Nagarajan and donated by Aparna Subramanian.
2. Thiruvarutchelvar 1967 became the archive’s first copy in any format.
3. Thillana Mohanambal 1968 added a second surviving release print.
4. Thiruvilayadal 1965 added an optically modified CinemaScope element.
5. The prints enable digitisation and comparison while protecting original preservation copies.
Additional Information:
1. NFAI was established in 1964 in Pune and merged functionally with NFDC in 2022.
2. Sivaji Ganesan received the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1996.
57th GST Council meeting recommends major compliance reforms.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The 57th GST Council meeting was held in New Delhi on October 8, 2026 under Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and recommended wide legal, registration, penalty and refund reforms.
Key Highlights:
1. It proposed removing GST arrest powers by omitting CGST Section 69.
2. The prosecution threshold for tax evasion rises from Rs.1 crore to Rs.5 crore.
3. General penalty under Section 125 falls from Rs.25,000 to Rs.10,000.
4. No show-cause notice would issue below Rs.10,000.
5. Invoice Management System under Rule 60(6A) will manage credit notes and inward documents.
Additional Information:
1. GST Council is a constitutional body under Article 279A chaired by the Union Finance Minister.
2. GST began July 1, 2017 through the 101st Constitutional Amendment.
Commerce Ministry sets up FTA Utilisation Cell.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The Department of Commerce established an FTA Utilisation Cell on October 7, 2026 to educate domestic businesses and improve use of India’s free-trade agreements.
Key Highlights:
1. The Cell links trade policy with industrial implementation.
2. It will work with Export Promotion Councils and states on market-specific plans.
3. Awareness workshops will run at national, state and district levels.
4. Its network targets 32 countries including EU, UK and EFTA economies.
5. India aims to double its EFTA import share from below 1% to 2% in three to four years.
Additional Information:
1. EFTA comprises Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.
2. The Department of Commerce is under the Commerce and Industry Ministry in New Delhi.
Hical Technologies and Safran sign Rafale manufacturing JV MoU.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems signed an MoU on October 7, 2026 to explore an Indian joint venture manufacturing complex systems for Rafale aircraft.
Key Highlights:
1. The venture will develop fluid and fuel systems and related Rafale assemblies.
2. Operations will use Hical’s new aerospace facility in Devanahalli near Bengaluru.
3. The partnership supports Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat.
4. It integrates Indian private firms into global aerospace and defence supply chains.
5. Hical specialises in high-precision electromechanical aerospace systems.
Additional Information:
1. Safran Aerosystems makes fluid, fuel and safety systems for global aviation.
2. Rafale is a French Dassault Aviation twin-engine multirole fighter; India ordered 36 in 2016.
Navanethem Pillay wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize.
Dated: 13 October 2026
South African jurist of Indian Tamil origin Navanethem Navi Pillay received the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on October 11, 2026 for prosecuting war crimes and strengthening international law.
Key Highlights:
1. She was honoured for action against genocide, war crimes and crimes against humanity.
2. Pillay serves as an ICJ jurist and presides over the Myanmar genocide case.
3. She earlier served as UN High Commissioner for Human Rights and judge at ICC and Rwanda tribunal.
4. Her rulings recognised rape and sexual violence as acts of genocide.
5. She opened Natal Province’s first woman-led law practice in 1967.
Additional Information:
1. The ICJ was created in 1945, sits in The Hague and has 15 judges elected for nine years.
2. The Nobel Peace Prize began in 1901 and is presented in Oslo.
Kathak legend Roshan Kumari passes away at 82.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Jaipur Gharana Kathak exponent Roshan Kumari died in Mumbai on October 5, 2026 at age 82.
Key Highlights:
1. She specialised in complex rhythm and vigorous footwork of the Jaipur Gharana.
2. She performed in Jalsaghar, Parineeta, Mirza Ghalib and Basant Bahar.
3. She choreographed award-winning films Lekin, Chaitali and Sardari Begum.
4. Honours included Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Maharashtra Gaurav Puraskar.
5. She founded Nritya Kala Kendra in Bandra, Mumbai.
Additional Information:
1. Kathak is one of India’s eight classical dances and has Lucknow, Jaipur and Benares schools.
2. Sangeet Natak Akademi was established in 1953 under the Culture Ministry.
Kerala launches WOMN scheme for public menstrual hygiene.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Kerala launched the Women on the Move and Menstrual Needs scheme at Thampanoor KSRTC terminal on October 11, 2026 for affordable sanitary products and green disposal.
Key Highlights:
1. Women and Child Development Department implements it with HLL Lifecare.
2. The Rs.16 lakh first phase covers 14 KSRTC terminals and depots.
3. Expansion is planned to 93 more depots and major tourist sites.
4. Vending machines and clean incinerators will be installed near toilets.
5. Each packet contains three sanitary napkins and costs Rs.10.
Additional Information:
1. HLL Lifecare is a Health Ministry Mini-Ratna established in 1966.
2. KSRTC was established in its current form in 1965 and is headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram.
CAPF General Administration Act 2026 comes into force.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The Central Armed Police Forces General Administration Act, 2026 came into force on October 8, 2026, creating a statutory framework for recruitment and service conditions.
Key Highlights:
1. It reserves all Director General and Special Director General posts for IPS officers.
2. At least 67% Additional Director General and 50% Inspector General posts are for IPS deputationists.
3. Rajya Sabha passed the bill April 1, Lok Sabha April 2 and President assented April 9.
4. The law replaces executive orders for Group A General Duty officers.
5. About 2.10 lakh CAPF personnel were recruited after 2022.
Additional Information:
1. The Home Ministry is the nodal ministry for internal security and CAPFs.
2. CAPFs include CRPF, BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG and Assam Rifles.
Six tech leaders receive US National Medals.
Dated: 13 October 2026
US President Donald Trump presented National Medals of Science and Technology and Innovation to six technology leaders at the White House on October 9, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Elon Musk, Sergey Brin, Jensen Huang and Lisa Su received National Medals of Science.
2. Michael Dell and Satya Nadella received National Medals of Technology and Innovation.
3. The ceremony formed part of the Science: A New Golden Age Summit.
4. Musk was cited for space and intelligent systems; Brin for information-retrieval algorithms.
5. Huang was honoured for GPU computing and Su for semiconductor engineering.
Additional Information:
1. The National Medal of Science began in 1963 and is administered by NSF.
2. The National Medal of Technology and Innovation was first awarded in 1985.
UP Cabinet renames Noida Airport after Narendra Modi.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved renaming Noida International Airport as Narendra Modi International Airport on October 9, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. The date recognised Narendra Modi’s 25 years as a head of government completed October 7.
2. The airport is at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar and serves as NCR’s second commercial hub.
3. Yamuna International Airport, a Zurich Airport subsidiary, developed it through PPP.
4. It was inaugurated March 28 and commercial operations began in June 2026.
5. The first phase handles 12 million passengers annually with one runway.
Additional Information:
1. Capacity is planned to reach 70 million passengers by 2050.
2. The airport connects through Yamuna Expressway and is Uttar Pradesh’s largest.
Government caps trade margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30%.
Dated: 13 October 2026
The Department of Pharmaceuticals approved a 30% trade-margin cap on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines on October 8, 2026 to reduce patients’ out-of-pocket costs.
Key Highlights:
1. Trade margins are capped at 30% of maximum retail price.
2. The measure may reduce medicine prices by up to 70%; some earlier margins exceeded 700%.
3. An expert committee under DGHS will finalise covered medicines.
4. Estimated annual patient savings are Rs.2,500 crore.
5. The rule covers branded, generic, patented and non-patented cancer medicines.
Additional Information:
1. NPPA was established in 1997 under the Chemicals and Fertilizers Ministry.
2. DPCO 2013 derives from the Essential Commodities Act; Paragraph 19 permits public-interest price action.
Third International Bharat 6G Symposium held in New Delhi.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Communications Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated the third International Bharat 6G Symposium at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, held October 7-9, 2026.
Key Highlights:
1. Bharat 6G Alliance organised the event.
2. Five new MoUs were exchanged with GSMA, one6G, GTI Alliance, 6G Industry Forum and VoICE.
3. The Alliance partnership network reached 17, comprising 15 global and two domestic collaborations.
4. Nine working-group white papers covered sensing, fixed wireless access and spectrum readiness.
5. The first report on progress toward New Delhi Declaration 6G principles was released.
Additional Information:
1. Bharat 6G Alliance links industry, academia and research for a trusted indigenous ecosystem.
2. The Department of Telecommunications sets telecom policy, licensing and standards.
Anup Bagchi appointed HDFC Bank CEO with record pay package.
Dated: 13 October 2026
Anup Bagchi is scheduled to become HDFC Bank CEO on October 27, 2026 with a Rs.35.9 crore remuneration package, the highest among Indian bank chiefs.
Key Highlights:
1. Fixed pay is Rs.8.97 crore including Rs.3.32 crore base salary.
2. Variable pay totals Rs.26.92 crore: Rs.8.88 crore cash and Rs.18.04 crore ESOPs.
3. A one-time stock-linked joining incentive of Rs.7.35 crore is proposed.
4. He succeeds Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose package was Rs.28.65 crore.
5. Bagchi earlier led ICICI Prudential Life Insurance.
Additional Information:
1. HDFC Bank was established in 1994 and is headquartered in Mumbai.
2. ESOPs provide company shares as performance-linked compensation.
UIDAI revises SOP for Aadhaar name changes.
Dated: 13 October 2026
UIDAI implemented a revised SOP on September 18, 2026 to streamline minor, major and data-entry-error Aadhaar name updates.
Key Highlights:
1. Minor changes include spelling, abbreviation expansion, sequence changes and surname addition or removal.
2. Major identity changes require Gazette notification plus Proof of Identity.
3. Marriage, divorce and gender-transition changes need the prescribed affidavit and identity proof.
4. Data-entry errors require separate adult or minor affidavits plus identity or relationship proof.
5. Names cannot contain ranks, service details, awards, urf, alias or most special characters.
Additional Information:
1. UIDAI is a statutory authority under the Aadhaar Act, 2016 within MeitY.
2. The first Aadhaar number was issued in Tembhli, Maharashtra in 2010.