CCEA approves strategic sale of 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the strategic disinvestment and sale of a 60.72% stake in IDBI Bank to a strategic buyer on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The winning bidder was 10955230 Canada Inc., a Fairfax Financial Holdings entity.
2.  The sale includes 30.48% government equity and 30.24% LIC equity.
3.  Total purchase consideration is Rs.52,878.08 crore.
4.  The valuation benchmark was Rs.275.99 per share.
5.  After the sale, the Government will retain 15% and LIC 19%.

Additional Information:
1.  IDBI began as a statutory corporation in 1964 and became a banking company in 2004.
2.  IDBI Bank is a scheduled commercial bank headquartered in Mumbai.

World Students’ Day marks APJ Abdul Kalam’s birth anniversary.

Dated: 18 October 2026

World Students’ Day was observed on October 15, 2026 to commemorate the birth anniversary of former President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam.

Key Highlights:
1.  The observance is widely associated with Kalam in India but is not an official UN day.
2.  UDISE+ recorded 24.69 crore school students, 14.71 lakh schools and 1.01 crore teachers in 2024-25.
3.  Higher education enrolment was 4.46 crore in AISHE 2022-23.
4.  Kalam served as India’s 11th President from 2002 to 2007.
5.  He was born on October 15, 1931 in Rameswaram, Tamil Nadu.

Additional Information:
1.  Kalam received the Bharat Ratna in 1997.
2.  His books include Wings of Fire, India 2020 and Ignited Minds.

NovaFusion Capital receives RBI NBFC licence.

Dated: 18 October 2026

NovaFusion Capital, the lending subsidiary of Astranova Mobility, received RBI approval to operate as an NBFC on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The company targets Rs.5,000 crore assets under management within five years.
2.  It will finance electric vehicles and climate-positive commercial assets.
3.  Its customers are commercial operators who use financed assets for livelihood.
4.  India may need $100 billion to electrify commercial vehicles.
5.  Kunal Mundra is Astranova founder and CEO, while Shraddha Srimal leads NovaFusion.

Additional Information:
1.  NBFCs are regulated by RBI under the RBI Act, 1934.
2.  Unlike banks, NBFCs cannot accept demand deposits or issue cheques on themselves.

Jindal Steel wins 2026 Steelie Award for Excellence in People.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Jindal Steel received the World Steel Association’s 2026 Steelie Award for Excellence in People in New Delhi on October 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The award was announced during the 17th Steelie Awards.
2.  Winning project Dakshata Engineering Safety builds role-specific safety and emergency skills.
3.  It covered more than 27,100 employees at six locations.
4.  The programme completed 16,539 new-hire assessments and 372 safety programmes.
5.  Raipur Machinery Division achieved zero lost-time injury frequency and improved emergency response by 15%.

Additional Information:
1.  World Steel Association was established in 1967.
2.  Jindal Steel is headquartered in New Delhi.

Delhi announces Rs.1,370 DBT for MCD school supplies.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Delhi Chief Minister Rekha Gupta launched a Rs.1,370 direct-benefit transfer for MCD primary-school students on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Funds will be deposited directly into student bank accounts.
2.  The amount is for uniforms, shoes and school bags.
3.  A mobile science van equipped with 60 laptops will visit schools.
4.  Delhi Government and MCD will jointly implement the initiative.
5.  MCD Education Department will provide administrative oversight.

Additional Information:
1.  MCD functions under the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act, 1957.
2.  India launched the DBT mechanism in 2013 for direct Aadhaar-linked subsidy transfers.

BHASHINI and Manipur sign multilingual AI MoU.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Digital India BHASHINI Division and Manipur Government signed an MoU at the BHASHINI Rajyam workshop in Imphal on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The partners will deploy language-first digital public infrastructure in health, education and legal services.
2.  BHASHINI Shilpi helps developers and students build language-AI solutions.
3.  BHASHINI Mitra lets institutions and communities contribute local-language data.
4.  Target languages include Manipuri, Tangkhul, Thadou, Paite, Hmar and Liangmai.
5.  A live English-to-Manipuri real-time translation was demonstrated.

Additional Information:
1.  BHASHINI supports 36 Indian languages in text and 23 in voice.
2.  It powers more than 800 government websites and processes over 24 million daily AI inferences.

NABARD subscribes Rs.4 crore to NSDC’s first SSE issue.

Dated: 18 October 2026

NABARD fully subscribed Rs.4 crore to NSDC’s first Zero Coupon Zero Principal issue on the Social Stock Exchange on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The ZCZP issue was listed on the NSE platform.
2.  The project has an estimated Rs.11.25 crore outlay.
3.  Madhya Pradesh will provide Rs.5.60 crore in outcome-linked funding.
4.  It targets overseas employment for 600 rural OBC youth from Madhya Pradesh.
5.  Training supports placements in Japan and Germany.

Additional Information:
1.  NABARD was established on July 12, 1982 under the NABARD Act, 1981.
2.  NSDC was established in 2008 as a public-private partnership.

Prime Minister inaugurates five projects worth Rs.3,350 crore in Ladakh.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated five major development projects worth Rs.3,350 crore in Ladakh on October 15, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  A Rs.640 crore passenger terminal at Leh airport can handle 35 lakh passengers annually.
2.  The 298 km Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road provides Ladakh a third all-weather route.
3.  India’s first Petroglyph Conservation Park opened at Sindhu Ghat, Leh.
4.  Project Him Sarovar will create 40 water bodies in 40 villages.
5.  Power works include the 9 MW Hanu hydro project and 66 kV Dah-Hanu-Khaltsi line.

Additional Information:
1.  BRO was established on May 7, 1960 under the Defence Ministry.
2.  Ladakh became a Union Territory on October 31, 2019.

NCISM launches CCRAS SPARK 5.0 and Ayurshodh 2026.

Dated: 18 October 2026

NCISM Chairperson Maneesha Kothekar launched CCRAS SPARK 5.0 and CCRAS Ayurshodh 2026 on October 14 to strengthen Ayurveda research.

Key Highlights:
1.  SPARK means Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken.
2.  It offers 300 studentships to third- and fourth-year BAMS students.
3.  Each studentship carries a Rs.50,000 grant.
4.  Ayurshodh includes Prabodh three-minute thesis, Prakash publication and Navonmesha innovation awards.
5.  SPARK registration runs October 15 to November 15, 2026.

Additional Information:
1.  CCRAS is the Ayush Ministry’s apex Ayurveda research body.
2.  NCISM is a statutory regulator created under the NCISM Act, 2020.

India adds Sukhna Wetland and Sauj Jheel to Ramsar List.

Dated: 18 October 2026

India designated Chandigarh’s Sukhna Wetland and Uttar Pradesh’s Sauj Jheel as Ramsar Sites on October 16, 2026, raising the national total to 103.

Key Highlights:
1.  Sukhna is Ramsar Site 2602 and supports Central Asian Flyway migratory birds.
2.  Its threatened fauna include Pallas’s Fish Eagle, Black Pond Turtle and Common Pochard.
3.  Sauj Jheel is Site 2603 in the Ganga floodplain.
4.  It supports over 30,000 waterbirds including Sarus Crane and Greater Spotted Eagle.
5.  Sauj lies near Saman Bird Sanctuary and is an Important Bird and Biodiversity Area.

Additional Information:
1.  The Ramsar Convention was adopted in Iran in 1971.
2.  India joined the Convention on February 1, 1982.

Justice Naolekar launches demographic changes committee portal.

Dated: 18 October 2026

HLCDC Chairman Justice Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar launched a digital portal on October 14, 2026 to collect and analyse data on unnatural demographic changes.

Key Highlights:
1.  The portal operates at demography.mha.gov.in.
2.  Central ministries, states, NGOs and individuals can submit information.
3.  It will study fertility, economic opportunity and community-level population changes.
4.  The committee may recommend systems to identify, detain and deport illegal immigrants.
5.  Goals include stronger border management and Centre-State coordination.

Additional Information:
1.  The Home Ministry constituted HLCDC on May 26, 2026.
2.  Retired Supreme Court judge Prakash Prabhakar Naolekar chairs the committee.

National Mahila Kisan Diwas 2026 held in New Delhi.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The Department of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare organised the national Mahila Kisan Diwas celebration in New Delhi on October 15, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The theme was Role of Women Farmers in Building Developed Agriculture and a Developed India.
2.  October 15 is also International Day of Rural Women.
3.  The UN declared 2026 the International Year of the Woman Farmer.
4.  Events were held across states through extension institutions and MANAGE.
5.  The programme highlighted women’s leadership in crops, livestock and natural-resource management.

Additional Information:
1.  Mahila Kisan Diwas is observed annually in India on October 15.
2.  MANAGE was established in 1987 and is headquartered in Hyderabad.

Ahmedabad enters race to host 2036 Olympic Games.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The International Olympic Committee confirmed on October 16, 2026 that India, with Ahmedabad as its proposed host, was among seven bidders for the 2036 Olympics and Paralympics.

Key Highlights:
1.  Other bids focus on Munich, Doha, South Korean cities, South African cities, Istanbul and Budapest.
2.  The IOC plans shortlisting in March 2027 and preferred hosts by December 2028.
3.  The final host announcement is expected in mid-2029.
4.  India’s campaign is called Rising Together.
5.  Ahmedabad will host the 2030 Commonwealth Games as a test event.

Additional Information:
1.  IOC was established on June 23, 1894 and is headquartered in Lausanne.
2.  Los Angeles hosts the 2028 Olympics and Brisbane the 2032 Games.

NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca partner for Biopharma SHAKTI.

Dated: 18 October 2026

NIPER Raebareli and AstraZeneca India signed an MoU on October 14, 2026 to build clinical-research capacity under Biopharma SHAKTI.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Department of Pharmaceuticals supports the partnership.
2.  The national initiative aims to create 1,000 clinical-trial sites.
3.  It targets 25 emerging research regions beyond major metros.
4.  The first phase will assess and mentor 25 sites.
5.  Oncology is the proof-of-concept therapeutic area.

Additional Information:
1.  NIPER Raebareli was established in 2008 and is an Institute of National Importance.
2.  AstraZeneca India is headquartered in Bengaluru.

Indian Embassy in Jakarta launches AI avatar DEWI.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The Embassy of India in Jakarta launched an AI avatar named DEWI on October 13, 2026 to improve outreach and public-service delivery.

Key Highlights:
1.  The launch aligns with the MANAV vision for emerging technology in governance.
2.  DEWI derives from the Sanskrit word Devi and is also a common Indonesian name.
3.  It provides scholarship and education information.
4.  It shares business, investment and consular-service guidance.
5.  The avatar promotes Indian culture and travel through social media.

Additional Information:
1.  Indonesia uses the Rupiah and Jakarta remains its present capital while Nusantara is planned.
2.  India and Indonesia share a maritime boundary in the Andaman Sea.

Nagaland wins SKOCH Silver for Grassroots Football Festival.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Nagaland’s Youth Resources and Sports Department received the SKOCH Silver Award on October 16, 2026 for its Grassroots Football Festival, or Baby League.

Key Highlights:
1.  The award recognises governance excellence and grassroots sports promotion.
2.  The annual festival began in June 2024.
3.  It serves children aged five to twelve.
4.  Small-sided matches are organised in four age groups from 5-6 through 11-12.
5.  The programme prioritises participation, enjoyment and early talent identification.

Additional Information:
1.  SKOCH Awards were instituted in 2003.
2.  Nagaland became India’s 16th state on December 1, 1963.

Ashok Leyland and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank sign vehicle-finance MoU.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Ashok Leyland and Tamilnad Mercantile Bank signed a strategic commercial-vehicle financing MoU on October 16, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Customers buying Ashok Leyland trucks and buses will receive customised credit.
2.  The partnership offers end-to-end support and flexible repayment options.
3.  It targets transport operators and fleet owners.
4.  The collaboration combines TMB’s banking network with Ashok Leyland’s market presence.
5.  The objective is easier access to structured commercial-vehicle finance.

Additional Information:
1.  Ashok Leyland began as Ashok Motors in 1948 and is headquartered in Chennai.
2.  TMB was founded as Nadar Bank in 1921 and renamed in 1962.

Cooperation Ministry mandates MSCARO 2026 audit framework.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The Cooperation Ministry mandated the Multi-State Co-operative Societies Auditor’s Report Order, 2026 on October 14 to create uniform risk-based statutory audit reporting.

Key Highlights:
1.  The order uses Section 73(6) of the 2023 amendment law.
2.  Its model is based on the corporate-sector CARO framework.
3.  The first phase covers large societies above Rs.1,000 crore financial thresholds.
4.  The long-term scope extends to societies above Rs.50 crore.
5.  Reports must cover NPAs, liquidity, defaults, cybersecurity and anti-money-laundering compliance.

Additional Information:
1.  The Cooperation Ministry was established in July 2021.
2.  The Central Registrar regulates societies operating in more than one state.

DoT and ITU organise AI for Good Build-a-thon 5.0.

Dated: 18 October 2026

The Department of Telecommunications and ITU held AI for Good Build-a-thon 5.0 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The event formed part of India Mobile Congress 2026.
2.  Its theme was Creating innovative agents in 5G.
3.  Participants developed policy-compliant agentic AI for telecommunications.
4.  Team Netaxis won first prize for service quality and adaptive security orchestration.
5.  Team SNR placed second and Team Agentnet third.

Additional Information:
1.  ITU is the UN specialised agency for ICT, established on May 17, 1865.
2.  ITU is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.

INST develops sustainable nanofibre filter for wastewater.

Dated: 18 October 2026

INST Mohali researchers developed a zinc-oxide and biodegradable nanofibre catalytic filter for dye-contaminated wastewater on October 14, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Zinc oxide nanoparticles are embedded in porous PLA nanofibres through electrospinning.
2.  The filter combines light photocatalysis with vibration-driven piezoelectric action.
3.  Turmeric extract and curcumin support green synthesis of nanoparticles.
4.  It removed 98.6% Methylene Blue and 96.7% Congo Red within 120 minutes.
5.  After six hours it inactivated about 75% E. coli and 71% S. aureus.

Additional Information:
1.  INST is an autonomous DST institution established in 2013.
2.  INST is located in Mohali, Punjab.

KAUMARACON-2026 inaugurated at All India Institute of Ayurveda.

Dated: 18 October 2026

Vice-President C. P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated KAUMARACON-2026 and AIIA’s 10th Foundation Day in New Delhi on October 15, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The third international Kaumarabhritya conference ran October 15-17.
2.  Its theme addressed global perspectives, research and clinical frontiers in child health.
3.  The new KINDER Lab supports paediatric electrophysiology and non-invasive diagnostics.
4.  An Ayurinformatics Lab supports AI-driven formulation and dosage design.
5.  AIIA has NAAC A++ and NABH recognition.

Additional Information:
1.  AIIA is an autonomous Ayush Ministry institution dedicated to the nation in 2017.
2.  Kaumarabhritya is Ayurveda’s paediatric branch covering neonatal and childhood care.