RBI opens special dollar window for oil PSUs and tightens forex rules.

Dated: 16 October 2026

The Reserve Bank of India introduced a special dollar window for three public-sector oil marketing companies and tightened foreign-exchange derivative rules from October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  RBI will meet the daily dollar needs of IOCL, HPCL and BPCL through designated banks.
2.  Dealers cannot rebook cancelled INR derivative contracts, though rollover at maturity remains permitted.
3.  The no-underlying-exposure derivative limit fell from $100 million to $5 million.
4.  Exchange-traded currency derivative positions were also capped at $5 million.
5.  Contracts above $2 million require a 20% Foreign Exchange Risk Reserve in cash with RBI.

Additional Information:
1.  RBI was established on April 1, 1935 and nationalised on January 1, 1949.
2.  IOCL, HPCL and BPCL are Maharatna public-sector oil marketing companies.

Putul Sonowal wins historic bronze at World Bowls event.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Putul Sonowal became the first Indian medal winner at the World Bowls Champion of Champions after taking bronze in Barham, New South Wales, on October 10, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  She reached the semifinal to secure India’s first podium finish at the event.
2.  Sonowal lost 5-0 to eventual champion Iain McLean of Scotland.
3.  She had earlier won singles gold at the Asian Championships.
4.  Her upcoming events included the Malaysia Open and 2027 World Police Games.
5.  The 43-year-old Guwahati athlete joined the police in 2006 and moved from boxing to lawn bowls in 2011.

Additional Information:
1.  World Bowls is the global governing body for lawn bowls.
2.  World Bowls is headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland.

Karnataka Bank launches Trade Konnect digital platform.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Karnataka Bank launched Trade Konnect on October 15, 2026 as a dedicated digital platform for imports, exports and outward cross-border remittances.

Key Highlights:
1.  The platform was inaugurated virtually from the bank’s Mangaluru head office.
2.  Managing Director and CEO Raghavendra S. Bhat led the launch.
3.  Customers can submit foreign-exchange transaction requests online.
4.  It enables outward international remittances without visiting a branch.
5.  The platform offers a secure digital channel for international trade services.

Additional Information:
1.  Karnataka Bank is a private-sector bank.
2.  The bank is headquartered in Mangaluru, Karnataka.

Nagaland to host 27th Hornbill Festival at Kisama.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Nagaland began preparations for the 27th Hornbill Festival, scheduled at Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, from December 1 to 10, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The venue is about 12 km from state capital Kohima.
2.  The opening on December 1 coincides with Nagaland Statehood Day.
3.  All 17 major tribes and several sub-tribes will participate.
4.  A Northeastern state will join as Partner State and international participation is expected.
5.  The Festival of Festivals has grown from three days to ten days with over 300 events.

Additional Information:
1.  Nagaland became India’s 16th state on December 1, 1963.
2.  The hornbill symbolises the collective identity of Naga tribes.

TDB and ideaForge sign Rs.151 crore agreement for YETI drone.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Technology Development Board signed a financial agreement with ideaForge on October 14, 2026 to support the YETI heavy-lift autonomous aerial logistics vehicle.

Key Highlights:
1.  The project costs Rs.302 crore, with Rs.151 crore TDB debt support from the RDI Fund.
2.  YETI is a vertical-take-off-and-landing fixed-wing hybrid drone.
3.  It can carry up to 200 kg over a range of 200 km.
4.  The aircraft can operate up to 6,500 metres from 15 m by 15 m unprepared areas.
5.  It supports navigation without GNSS, swarm operations and 200 km communication links.

Additional Information:
1.  TDB is a statutory DST body established in 1996 under the TDB Act, 1995.
2.  ideaForge is an indigenous UAV manufacturer founded in 2007 and headquartered in Mumbai.

Cabinet approves 78-day productivity bonus for railway employees.

Dated: 16 October 2026

The Union Cabinet approved a Productivity Linked Bonus equal to 78 days of wages for more than 11.40 lakh non-gazetted railway employees on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The estimated total expenditure is Rs.2,009.61 crore.
2.  The maximum payment per eligible employee is Rs.17,951.
3.  The benefit covers 11,40,770 non-gazetted railway workers.
4.  Eligible staff include track maintainers, loco pilots, train managers, station masters and Group C personnel.
5.  The bonus recognises railway employees’ contribution to productivity.

Additional Information:
1.  India’s first train ran between Bori Bunder and Thane on April 16, 1853.
2.  Indian Railways was nationalised in 1951 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

ReNew signs Rs.70,000 crore green data-centre MoU in Maharashtra.

Dated: 16 October 2026

ReNew Wind Energy signed an MoU with the Maharashtra government on October 8, 2026 to build an integrated green data-centre park with Rs.70,000 crore investment.

Key Highlights:
1.  The project will have 750 MW planned capacity.
2.  At least 51% of operational power must come from green energy.
3.  Sites include Panvel, Khalapur, Taloja and Bhokharpada in the Mumbai Metropolitan Region.
4.  Operations are targeted to begin by 2028.
5.  Two independent incoming power feeders will serve the data-centre substation.

Additional Information:
1.  ReNew is a major Indian renewable-energy company.
2.  Maharashtra targets a $1 trillion state economy by 2030.

Sunil Gavaskar releases Rag Rag Mein Cricket biography.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Sunil Gavaskar released Rag Rag Mein Cricket, a biography of former cricketer and administrator Sanjay Jagdale, in Indore on October 11, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Kiran Waikar and Sunil Dudhale authored the book.
2.  It traces Jagdale’s career as player, coach, selector and administrator.
3.  The biography follows his journey from the 1965 Cooch Behar Trophy to BCCI roles.
4.  Jagdale served as BCCI Secretary, Joint Secretary and national selector.
5.  He entered MPCA administration in 1997.

Additional Information:
1.  BCCI was established in 1928 and is headquartered at Cricket Centre, Mumbai.
2.  Cooch Behar Trophy is India’s national four-day Under-19 cricket tournament.

DRDO tests quantum key distribution platform on live network.

Dated: 16 October 2026

DRDO configured and tested a Quantum Key Distribution platform on a live network at its Proof and Experimental Establishment on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Chandipur test secured real-time telemetry for artillery and armoured-weapon evaluations.
2.  DRDO’s microelectronics and cyber-security cluster designed it with Taqbit Labs.
3.  Quantum mechanics generates and distributes cryptographic keys.
4.  The system provides eavesdropping detection and uses quantum-resistant algorithms.
5.  Free-space QKD enables secure links in difficult terrain and cities without optical fibre.

Additional Information:
1.  DRDO was established in 1958 and functions under the Defence Ministry.
2.  PXE is located at Chandipur, Odisha and evaluates armaments and ammunition.

UNDP and Generali launch insurance innovation challenge for MSMEs.

Dated: 16 October 2026

UNDP and Generali launched the Insurance Innovation Challenge in India on October 15, 2026 to strengthen resilience of micro, small and medium enterprises.

Key Highlights:
1.  Up to three winners will each receive grants of up to $40,000.
2.  Eligible applicants include Indian insurtechs, insurers, technology providers and social enterprises.
3.  Solutions must address health events, business interruption and asset loss.
4.  Applications close on November 20, 2026 and winners will be announced in February 2027.
5.  Priorities include technology-led access, insurance-finance bundling and financial literacy.

Additional Information:
1.  UNDP was established in 1965 and is headquartered in New York.
2.  Generali was founded in 1831 and is headquartered in Trieste, Italy.

Oman becomes India’s top LNG supplier in September 2026.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Oman overtook the United States to become India’s largest LNG supplier in September 2026 amid changing trade routes and regional disruptions.

Key Highlights:
1.  Oman supplied 0.59 million tonnes, 11.6% more than in August.
2.  Nigeria ranked second with 0.35 million tonnes and the United States third with 0.34 million tonnes.
3.  India imported 2.24 million tonnes of LNG in September, up 7% year-on-year.
4.  May-September imports rose 17.8% to 11.87 million tonnes.
5.  Qatar volumes fell sharply due to the Strait of Hormuz crisis, while Oman’s route avoids the chokepoint.

Additional Information:
1.  The Strait of Hormuz connects the Persian Gulf with the Gulf of Oman.
2.  India imports roughly half of its natural-gas requirement.

Gaya tops PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana district ranking.

Dated: 16 October 2026

On the first anniversary of PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana, Gaya ranked first, Nagaur second and Umaria third among participating districts.

Key Highlights:
1.  The anniversary was observed on October 12, 2026 after the scheme completed one year on October 11.
2.  Khet Bachao Abhiyan will run from October 22 to November 30 for soil health and balanced fertiliser use.
3.  District performance is measured through 121 dashboard indicators.
4.  The scheme converges 36 central schemes across 11 ministries.
5.  It targets 100 low-productivity districts.

Additional Information:
1.  PMDDKY was announced in Union Budget 2025-26 and launched on October 11, 2025.
2.  Its five pillars include productivity, diversification, storage, irrigation and farm credit.

National Social Assistance Programme extended with Rs.53,428 crore outlay.

Dated: 16 October 2026

The Union Cabinet continued the National Social Assistance Programme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of Rs.53,428 crore on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  NSAP was renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and its component pensions were also renamed.
2.  Benchmark-disability eligibility was reduced from 80% to 40%.
3.  The minimum age for disability pension was removed, allowing assistance from birth.
4.  Disability assistance became Rs.375 for ages 0-79 and Rs.625 for age 80 and above.
5.  The programme covers 3.20 crore beneficiaries in all 36 states and Union Territories.

Additional Information:
1.  NSAP launched on August 15, 1995 to implement Article 41.
2.  It provides 100% central assistance and is managed by the Rural Development Department.

Shipping Ministry launches two credit-risk insurance policies.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Ports, Shipping and Waterways Minister Sarbananda Sonowal launched two shipbuilding credit-risk insurance products in Mumbai on October 13, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The policies operate under the Shipbuilding Development Scheme of the National Shipbuilding Mission.
2.  ECGC developed the Shipbuilding Project Credit Risk Insurance Policy for export projects.
3.  New India Assurance developed the Business Credit Shield Policy Shipbuilders for domestic projects.
4.  The Centre will subsidise premiums and support insurers when shipyards submit claims.
5.  The announcement came at the 21st Maritime State Development Council meeting.

Additional Information:
1.  MSDC was originally constituted in 1997 as the apex maritime advisory body.
2.  ECGC is a government-owned export credit insurer established in 1957.

Tribal Affairs Ministry and Karmayogi Bharat sign Adi Karmayogi MoU.

Dated: 16 October 2026

The Ministry of Tribal Affairs and Karmayogi Bharat signed an MoU on October 13, 2026 to develop the Adi Karmayogi microsite on iGOT Karmayogi.

Key Highlights:
1.  The platform will train and certify 1,54,000 Adi Karmayogi volunteers.
2.  It will institutionalise 76,000 Adi Sewa Kendras.
3.  Mobile-friendly learning covers tribal-development schemes, assessment and certification.
4.  Karmayogi Bharat will provide hosting, analytics, maintenance and technical support.
5.  Priority states must complete training by October 31 and other states by December 31, 2026.

Additional Information:
1.  Mission Karmayogi is the National Programme for Civil Services Capacity Building launched in September 2020.
2.  iGOT means Integrated Government Online Training.

OnMeta and QazPost sign digital-finance MoU.

Dated: 16 October 2026

OnMeta signed an MoU with Kazakhstan’s national postal operator QazPost in Astana on October 13, 2026 to develop digital financial infrastructure.

Key Highlights:
1.  The partners will combine OnMeta payment technology with QazPost’s physical distribution network.
2.  Solutions will serve both consumers and businesses.
3.  Planned services cover payments, investment and digital assets.
4.  OnMeta founder and CEO Thillainayagam Bharath led the partnership.
5.  QazPost is Kazakhstan’s national postal provider headquartered in Astana.

Additional Information:
1.  Kazakhstan is the world’s largest landlocked country by area.
2.  Kazakhstan’s currency is the Tenge.

Achyuta Samanta elected first Indian UniSport Federation president.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Achyuta Samanta was unanimously elected the first president of the Indian UniSport Federation at its inaugural annual meeting in New Delhi on October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The federation was approved by the Youth Affairs and Sports Ministry as the apex university-sports body.
2.  Universities pay a uniform Rs.50,000 annual fee and student-athletes pay no participation fee.
3.  It aims to prepare talent for the 2030 Commonwealth Games and 2036 Olympics.
4.  Binu George Varghese became Secretary General and Bhasker Shukla Treasurer.
5.  Executive members include Anju Bobby George and Dola Banerjee.

Additional Information:
1.  Samanta founded KIIT and KISS.
2.  The federation coordinates with the International University Sports Federation.

Centre approves Rs.65 crore DRISHTI project for Delhi.

Dated: 16 October 2026

The Central Government approved the Rs.65 crore DRISHTI project on October 8, 2026 to accelerate property rights in Delhi’s unauthorised colonies under PM-UDAY.

Key Highlights:
1.  DRISHTI means Delhi Revenue and Imaging Survey, Spatial Technology Initiative.
2.  MoHUA will provide 80%, or Rs.52 crore, and Delhi Revenue Department 20%, or Rs.13 crore.
3.  GIS technology will survey and map properties.
4.  PM-UDAY cells will operate in all 13 Delhi districts and at headquarters.
5.  Delhi Revenue Department will work with DDA and MCD.

Additional Information:
1.  PM-UDAY seeks ownership rights for residents of 1,731 unauthorised colonies.
2.  DDA was established in 1957 under MoHUA.

Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana with BRAC.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Nagaland launched Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana, SAY-SOBLOK, on October 6, 2026 to help extremely vulnerable households escape poverty.

Key Highlights:
1.  NSRLM and BRAC International signed a three-year MoU in Kohima.
2.  The programme targets 4,000 highly vulnerable households.
3.  It operates under DAY-NRLM using BRAC’s sequenced Graduation Approach.
4.  Support includes household coaching, financial inclusion and resilience-building.
5.  Village and cluster organisations will identify beneficiaries.

Additional Information:
1.  Nagaland became India’s 16th state on December 1, 1963.
2.  DAY-NRLM was launched by the Rural Development Ministry in June 2011.

NSDF, SAI and Indian Oil partner to strengthen boxing.

Dated: 16 October 2026

NSDF, Sports Authority of India and Indian Oil signed an MoU on October 13, 2026 to strengthen India’s boxing ecosystem.

Key Highlights:
1.  Indian Oil will provide Rs.40 crore over two years.
2.  The initiative covers talent identification, athlete development and sports science.
3.  It will strengthen academies and improve training facilities.
4.  Coaches, referees and technical officials will receive capacity-building support.
5.  Elite and emerging boxers will receive international exposure.

Additional Information:
1.  NSDF was established in 1998 under the Charitable Endowments Act, 1890.
2.  SAI was registered as a society in 1984 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

IMF and World Bank launch Bangkok Blueprint against cyber fraud.

Dated: 16 October 2026

IMF, World Bank Group and Bank of Thailand launched the Bangkok Blueprint on October 15, 2026 to combat cyber-enabled fraud in digital financial services.

Key Highlights:
1.  It was released at the 2026 IMF-World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok.
2.  The framework helps countries identify vulnerabilities and coordinate responses.
3.  It contains 12 key considerations organised under five strategic pillars.
4.  Pillars cover legal foundations, fraud mitigation, enforcement, cross-border cooperation and consumer resilience.
5.  It addresses fraud involving social media, e-commerce and telecommunications.

Additional Information:
1.  IMF and World Bank were established in 1944 and are headquartered in Washington, D.C.
2.  Bank of Thailand was established in 1942 and is headquartered in Bangkok.

Punjab to host Men’s Asian Champions Trophy after 17 years.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Punjab will host the Men’s Asian Champions Trophy from October 27 to November 5, 2026, bringing international hockey back to the state after 17 years.

Key Highlights:
1.  Jalandhar will host the opening and league matches from October 27 to November 2.
2.  Mohali will stage semifinals and medal matches on November 4 and 5.
3.  India, Malaysia, South Korea, China, Japan and Bangladesh will compete.
4.  The top four after the round-robin stage will enter semifinals.
5.  India has won a record five titles in 2011, 2016, 2018, 2023 and 2024.

Additional Information:
1.  Asian Champions Trophy features the top six Asian Hockey Federation teams.
2.  Balbir Singh Senior won three Olympic gold medals.

Kolkata to host Barcelona versus Real Madrid legends match.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Kolkata will host an El Clasico Legends exhibition between Barcelona and Real Madrid at Salt Lake Stadium on November 25, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  West Bengal Sports Minister Indranil Khan announced the match.
2.  Expected players include Luis Figo, Carles Puyol and Iker Casillas.
3.  It is the clubs’ second legends meeting in India after Real Madrid won 2-0 in Mumbai in 2025.
4.  Their earlier 2026 Miami exhibition ended in a 1-1 draw.
5.  Salt Lake Stadium hosted Lionel Messi’s only Indian appearance in 2011.

Additional Information:
1.  The stadium hosted Pelé’s New York Cosmos against Mohun Bagan in 1977.
2.  Barcelona Legends last played in Kolkata in 2018 and beat Mohun Bagan 6-0.

Oscar Whitfield wins 2026 Young Wildlife Photographer title.

Dated: 16 October 2026

British photographer Oscar Whitfield, aged 14, won the Young Grand Title at Wildlife Photographer of the Year 2026 on October 14 for Labour of Love.

Key Highlights:
1.  His black-and-white image shows a dung beetle pushing a ball in Zimbabwe’s Zambezi National Park.
2.  Federico Veronesi won the adult grand title for The Aftermath.
3.  The adult image shows a female elephant carrying a dead calf in Namibia.
4.  Indian photographer Sitaram Raul won Behaviour: Invertebrates for Shifting Sand.
5.  Raul’s image shows a scorpion digging in Rajasthan’s Thar Desert.

Additional Information:
1.  The Natural History Museum in London organises the annual competition.
2.  Zambezi National Park lies upstream of Victoria Falls in Zimbabwe.

Parthiv Patel launches AI cricket platform SportzEngage.

Dated: 16 October 2026

Former India cricketer Parthiv Patel launched AI-driven cricket development platform SportzEngage on October 14, 2026 for talent identification and performance analysis.

Key Highlights:
1.  He co-founded the venture with Kunal Abhishek and Shamik Datta.
2.  Its primary application is named CRiQ.
3.  CRiQ offers video analysis, personalised feedback and performance tracking.
4.  AI enables ball tracking and analytics for competitions, leagues and broadcasters.
5.  The platform targets grassroots cricketers lacking professional coaching technology.

Additional Information:
1.  SportzEngage is headquartered in Bengaluru.
2.  Parthiv became Test cricket’s youngest wicketkeeper on debut in 2002 at age 17.

India’s wholesale inflation rises to 11.39% in September 2026.

Dated: 16 October 2026

India’s Wholesale Price Index inflation rose to 11.39% in September 2026 from 9.92% in August due to higher fuel, food and manufactured-product prices.

Key Highlights:
1.  Retail CPI inflation reached 5.54%, a 23-month high.
2.  Cumulative wholesale inflation for April-September was 9.85%.
3.  Fuel and power inflation was 25.85%, food index 8.66% and manufactured products 9.76%.
4.  Crude petroleum and natural gas prices rose 57.32%.
5.  The WPI index increased from 110.8 in August to 112.5 in September with base year 2022-23.

Additional Information:
1.  The Commerce and Industry Ministry releases monthly WPI through the Office of Economic Adviser.
2.  WPI tracks wholesale business-to-business prices of goods.