IMF projects India GDP growth at 7% for FY27 and FY28.

Dated: 15 October 2026

The International Monetary Fund projected on October 13, 2026 that India’s economy would grow by 7.0% in both FY 2026-27 and FY 2027-28.

Key Highlights:
1.  The World Bank forecast 7.1% growth for FY27 and 7.2% for FY28.
2.  OECD raised its FY27 estimate to 7.1%, while Moody’s projected 7.0%.
3.  S&P Global and ADB also estimated 7.0%, while Fitch forecast 6.9%.
4.  India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in the April-June quarter.
5.  IMF projected global growth at 3.1% in 2026 and 3.4% in 2027.

Additional Information:
1.  IMF was established in 1944 at the Bretton Woods Conference and is headquartered in Washington, D.C.
2.  India’s GDP is calculated by the National Statistical Office under MoSPI.

Lakshadweep declared 100% literate under ULLAS.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Lakshadweep was officially declared a 100% literate Union Territory on October 11, 2026 under the ULLAS - Nav Bharat Saaksharta Karyakram.

Key Highlights:
1.  Administrator Praful Patel announced the full-literacy achievement.
2.  The programme educated 1,113 identified adult non-literates across the islands.
3.  All eligible learners cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test.
4.  Volunteer teachers conducted doorstep and home-based assessments.
5.  ULLAS is a centrally sponsored adult-education scheme for people aged 15 years and above.

Additional Information:
1.  ULLAS was approved for FY 2022-2027.
2.  Lakshadweep is India’s smallest Union Territory by land area and is headquartered at Kavaratti.

Microsoft unveils Maia 300 AI inference platform.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Microsoft announced Maia 300, its next-generation AI inference platform for Azure cloud services and emerging AI workloads, on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Multi-gigawatt Azure Maia deployments are planned from 2027.
2.  Maia 300 is intended to become Microsoft’s primary AI inference system.
3.  It delivers 40% more tokens per megawatt.
4.  Rack-scale token throughput is up to seven times higher than Maia 200.
5.  It targets long-context reasoning, conversational and multi-step agentic workloads.

Additional Information:
1.  Microsoft was established on April 4, 1975 and is headquartered in Redmond.
2.  Azure launched on February 1, 2010 as Microsoft’s cloud platform.

Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma win September ICC awards.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma were named the ICC Men’s and Women’s Player of the Month respectively for September 2026 on October 13.

Key Highlights:
1.  Gill won the award for a record-equalling fifth time.
2.  He scored the fastest ODI double century, making 223 from 133 balls against West Indies.
3.  Shafali led the Women’s Asia Cup run chart with 360 runs at a strike rate of 184.61 and took six wickets.
4.  She scored an unbeaten 100 against Bangladesh in the Asian Games semi-final and 48 in the final.
5.  India completed the men’s and women’s monthly-award sweep for the third time.

Additional Information:
1.  ICC was founded on June 15, 1909 and is headquartered in Dubai.
2.  ICC introduced Player of the Month awards in January 2021.

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completes five years.

Dated: 15 October 2026

The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan completed five years on October 13, 2026 after its launch in October 2021.

Key Highlights:
1.  BISAG-N indigenously developed the digital planning platform.
2.  It integrates more than 1,800 data layers across 58 central ministries and all 36 states and Union Territories.
3.  The platform contains over 65 software modules and more than 100 mobile and web applications.
4.  The Network Planning Group evaluated over 400 projects worth about Rs.20.23 lakh crore.
5.  The Unified Geospatial Interface was opened to the public and private sector in September 2025.

Additional Information:
1.  PM GatiShakti is the National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity.
2.  BISAG-N is a MeitY autonomous scientific society headquartered in Gandhinagar.

Federal Bank launches Verto premium savings account.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Federal Bank launched Verto, a premium savings account for young professionals and entrepreneurs, on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The account provides complimentary insurance cover up to Rs.35 lakh.
2.  Customers receive 5% cashback on debit-card spending for food, fashion and flight bookings.
3.  The package includes complimentary domestic airport lounge access.
4.  It offers locker-rent concessions and outward-remittance benefits.
5.  Account holders receive personalised spending, wealth and market insights.

Additional Information:
1.  Federal Bank was incorporated in 1931.
2.  The bank is headquartered in Aluva, Kerala and its MD and CEO is KVS Manian.

INS Tarkash joins IBSAMAR IX exercise in South Africa.

Dated: 15 October 2026

INS Tarkash arrived in South Africa on October 12, 2026 to participate in the ninth India-Brazil-South Africa Maritime Exercise, IBSAMAR IX.

Key Highlights:
1.  IBSAMAR is a trilateral naval exercise of India, Brazil and South Africa.
2.  Its theme was Stronger Together Towards a Shared Future in the Maritime Domain.
3.  Indian participation included INS Tarkash and a Chetak helicopter.
4.  Brazil fielded BNS Barroso with a Lynx helicopter, while South Africa deployed several ships and a submarine.
5.  Drills covered surface, anti-air and anti-submarine warfare, VBSS, anti-piracy and search and rescue.

Additional Information:
1.  IBSAMAR has been held biennially since 2008 under the IBSA framework.
2.  INS Tarkash is a Russia-built Teg-class stealth frigate commissioned on November 9, 2012.

GE Aerospace to double India supplier spending by 2030.

Dated: 15 October 2026

GE Aerospace announced on October 12, 2026 that it would nearly double annual procurement from Indian suppliers by 2030.

Key Highlights:
1.  Annual Indian supply-chain spending will rise from $200 million in 2025 to about $400 million by 2030.
2.  Indian domestic air passengers are projected to reach 1.1 billion by 2040.
3.  India’s airport network may expand from 163 to more than 350 by 2047.
4.  South Asia may require 3,300 aircraft and 6,600 engines by 2044.
5.  GE operates manufacturing in Pune and a technology centre in Bengaluru with over 1,000 aviation patents.

Additional Information:
1.  GE has partnered with HAL since 1986 and signed an MoU to manufacture F414 engines for Tejas Mk2.
2.  HAL was established in 1940 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction observed on October 13.

Dated: 15 October 2026

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction was observed worldwide on October 13, 2026 to promote disaster prevention, preparedness and risk awareness.

Key Highlights:
1.  The official 2026 theme was Resilience Starts at Home.
2.  UN General Assembly Resolution 64/200 made October 13 the permanent observance date in 2009.
3.  The day promotes a global culture of disaster mitigation and preparedness.
4.  It supports implementation of the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction.
5.  The Sendai Framework covers 2015-2030.

Additional Information:
1.  It succeeded the Hyogo Framework for Action, which covered 2005-2015.
2.  UNGA Resolution 44/236 in 1989 established the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction.

IIT Kharagpur launches free AI tutor and GATE-JAM platform.

Dated: 15 October 2026

IIT Kharagpur launched the NDLI-FERMI AI Tutor and a free online GATE and JAM preparation platform on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Education Minister of State Sukanta Majumdar inaugurated the initiatives at IIT Kharagpur Research Park in Rajarhat.
2.  They were launched during the institute’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations.
3.  The AI tutor is integrated with the National Digital Library of India.
4.  Its Scan and Ask feature supports Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics and Biology through hints and explanations.
5.  The free exam platform targets rural and economically disadvantaged learners.

Additional Information:
1.  IIT Kharagpur was established in 1951 as India’s first IIT.
2.  NDLI hosts over 130 million resources and serves more than one crore learners.

India hosts first BIMSTEC Home Ministers Meeting in New Delhi.

Dated: 15 October 2026

India hosted the inaugural BIMSTEC Home Ministers’ Meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026 to deepen regional security cooperation.

Key Highlights:
1.  Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired the first-ever meeting.
2.  Discussions covered terrorism, transnational organised crime, narcotics, radicalisation, trafficking and cyber threats.
3.  The members sought stronger coordination against illicit financial flows.
4.  Minister-level officials from Bhutan, Myanmar, Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand attended.
5.  Bangladesh was represented by Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury.

Additional Information:
1.  BIMSTEC was established on June 6, 1997 through the Bangkok Declaration.
2.  The organisation has seven Bay of Bengal littoral and adjacent member states.

India provides Rs.290 crore for Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

Dated: 15 October 2026

India handed over Rs.290 crore, equivalent to Nu 2.90 billion, to Bhutan on October 13, 2026 for projects under Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan.

Key Highlights:
1.  Funds were released at the 19th Monthly Coordination Meeting in Thimphu.
2.  Projects include 11 highway bridges and upgrades to 37 schools.
3.  Support covers a national weather and flood-warning centre, Thimphu District Court and Gelephu hospital renovation.
4.  Healthcare plans include a 200-bed cancer hospital and a 430-bed facility.
5.  The package also supports 100 electric cars, 48 electric buses and renewable-energy systems.

Additional Information:
1.  Bhutan’s capital is Thimphu and its currency is the Ngultrum.
2.  Bhutan’s 13th Five-Year Plan runs from 2024 to 2029.

IMD launches cyclone-warning and marine-weather decision support systems.

Dated: 15 October 2026

The India Meteorological Department dedicated interactive WebGIS-based cyclone-warning and marine-weather Decision Support Systems to the nation on October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The systems were launched during the post-monsoon Pre-Cyclone Exercise Meeting.
2.  IMD Director General Mrutyunjay Mohapatra chaired the event.
3.  The platform displays cyclone tracks, intensity and cone of uncertainty.
4.  It provides district rainfall warnings, storm-surge forecasts, wind distribution and river-catchment forecasts.
5.  The exercise involved 230 stakeholders from 30 organisations.

Additional Information:
1.  IMD was established in 1875 and works under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
2.  The World Meteorological Organization was established on March 23, 1950 and is headquartered in Geneva.

RDIF approves first cohort of 19 second-level fund managers.

Dated: 15 October 2026

The Empowered Group of Secretaries approved the first cohort of 19 Second Level Fund Managers under the Research, Development and Innovation Fund on October 8, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The cohort contains 14 Alternative Investment Funds and five Focused Research Organisations.
2.  Its total commitment is Rs.7,131 crore.
3.  The broader RDI Scheme launched in November 2025 with a corpus of Rs.1 lakh crore.
4.  An independent unit within ANRF under DST manages the fund.
5.  It targets eligible technology enterprises at Technology Readiness Level 4 and above.

Additional Information:
1.  ANRF was established under the ANRF Act, 2023 and replaced SERB.
2.  DST was established in May 1971.

President appoints and transfers Governors across six states.

Dated: 15 October 2026

President Droupadi Murmu ordered appointments and transfers of Governors across six states on October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Om Prakash Mathur was transferred from Sikkim to Kerala.
2.  Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was appointed Governor of Tamil Nadu.
3.  Dushyant Gautam became Governor of Sikkim.
4.  Braj Mohan Ram was appointed Governor of Odisha.
5.  Sudha Yadav took charge in Karnataka and Dhal Singh Bisen was named Governor of Uttarakhand.

Additional Information:
1.  A Governor is appointed by the President under Article 155.
2.  Article 157 sets qualifications, including a minimum age of 35 years.

Development projects worth Rs.331 crore launched in Mizoram.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Union Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia inaugurated or laid foundation stones for 10 development projects worth Rs.331 crore in Mizoram on October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Five inaugurated projects were worth about Rs.102 crore and five foundation projects Rs.228.54 crore.
2.  Works cover power transmission, roads, healthcare, arts, music and sports.
3.  A 21 km Pukzing-Silsuri all-weather road is valued at Rs.100.24 crore.
4.  A 32.70 km oil-palm link road worth Rs.26.49 crore will benefit 19 villages.
5.  The Mizoram Ginger Mission has Rs.189.79 crore for 20,000 farm households.

Additional Information:
1.  Mizoram became India’s 23rd state on February 20, 1987.
2.  MDoNER was established in September 2001 to coordinate Northeast development.

ICG team scales 7,045-metre Mount Mukut.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Uttarakhand’s Chief Minister welcomed a 17-member Indian Coast Guard mountaineering team on October 12, 2026 after its successful ascent of Mount Mukut.

Key Highlights:
1.  The team reached the 7,045-metre summit on October 7, 2026.
2.  The expedition began on September 15 and established Base Camp-I on October 1.
3.  The Himalayan Mountaineering Institute guided the mission.
4.  It was Phase V and the final milestone of an 18-month preparation programme.
5.  The ascent prepares the Coast Guard for a planned Mount Everest expedition in 2027.

Additional Information:
1.  The Indian Coast Guard was established on February 1, 1977 and works under the Defence Ministry.
2.  HMI was established in Darjeeling on November 4, 1954.

BHASHINI enables real-time multilingual communication at NCGG Mussoorie.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Digital India BHASHINI Division deployed Shrutlekh for real-time translation at an NCGG capacity-building programme in Mussoorie held from October 12 to 23, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The programme was organised by NCGG under the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances.
2.  The External Affairs Ministry sponsored civil servants through the ITEC programme.
3.  Shrutlekh provided bidirectional real-time translation between English and Spanish.
4.  BHASHINI supports 36 Indian languages in text, 23 in voice and 35 international languages.
5.  It is integrated with 2,353 government platforms and processes over 24 million daily AI inferences.

Additional Information:
1.  BHASHINI Division operates under Digital India Corporation and MeitY.
2.  ITEC was launched on September 15, 1964 as a fully funded Indian assistance programme.

Bangladesh signs $335 million Chinese loan for port modernisation.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Bangladesh signed a $335 million loan agreement with China on October 12, 2026 to modernise a strategic seaport near the Indian border.

Key Highlights:
1.  The loan carries a concessional 2% interest rate.
2.  Its repayment period is 20 years.
3.  The terms include a five-year grace period.
4.  The project targets strategic port infrastructure close to the India-Bangladesh border.
5.  The investment is intended to upgrade port capacity and connectivity.

Additional Information:
1.  Bangladesh shares a 4,096.7 km land border with India and uses the Taka.
2.  China’s capital is Beijing and its official currency is the Renminbi or Yuan.

Eighth India-UK Science and Innovation Council meeting held.

Dated: 15 October 2026

India and the United Kingdom held the eighth Science and Innovation Council meeting in New Delhi on October 13, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The two sides inaugurated the BRIC-CDFD-ONT India Genomics Centre of Excellence.
2.  Talks covered the SHANTI Act, small modular reactors, radioisotopes and nuclear medicine.
3.  Space cooperation included satellites and geospatial applications amid India’s roughly 800 space-tech startups.
4.  Eight industrial projects were approved in advanced manufacturing, power electronics and net-zero technology.
5.  AI, quantum technologies and semiconductors were priority fields.

Additional Information:
1.  The SHANTI Act expands private participation in India’s nuclear sector.
2.  CDFD is an autonomous Department of Biotechnology institute in Hyderabad.

Boeing Sukanya Aerospace Lab inaugurated in Bargarh.

Dated: 15 October 2026

Odisha Governor Hari Babu Kambhampati inaugurated the Boeing Sukanya Aerospace Lab in Bargarh district on October 11, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The laboratory promotes female participation in emerging technical sectors.
2.  It offers experiential training in aviation and aeromodelling.
3.  The programme encourages girls to pursue STEM careers.
4.  It supports the Nari Shakti vision through aerospace and defence education.
5.  Practical learning is intended to reduce the aviation-sector gender gap.

Additional Information:
1.  The Boeing Sukanya Programme helps girls enter India’s aviation industry.
2.  The programme establishes STEM laboratories to develop future innovators and leaders.