India notifies Regulatory Sandbox Rules 2026 for emerging telecom technology.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Government notified the Telecommunications Regulatory Sandbox Rules, 2026 on October 22 to enable controlled testing of emerging telecom technologies.

Key Highlights:
1.  The sandbox permits trials of services, products, technologies and business models before commercial use.
2.  Participants may receive limited exemptions under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.
3.  Specified requirements of the TRAI Act, 1997 may also be relaxed.
4.  A sandbox trial can remain valid for a maximum of 24 months.
5.  Extensions of up to 12 months may be granted subject to conditions.

Additional Information:
1.  Applicants must submit preliminary test reports and a non-refundable Rs.10,000 fee.
2.  The Telecommunications Act, 2023 replaced older telegraph-era legal frameworks.

Coal Controller Organisation wins SKOCH Gold Award 2026 for SUVIKALP.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Coal Controller Organisation received the SKOCH Gold Award 2026 for its mine-repurposing tool SUVIKALP on September 26, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The award category was Digital Operational Efficiency - Data Driven Decision Making.
2.  SUVIKALP is an in-house tool for structured mine-repurposing decisions.
3.  It ranks projects using technical, environmental, social and economic criteria.
4.  Its PRISM model means Post-Mining Repurposing Implementation Strategy Model.
5.  SUVIKALP Samvaad conducted 12 thematic capacity-building webinars.

Additional Information:
1.  CCO is a subordinate office under the Ministry of Coal.
2.  The SKOCH Award recognises governance and technology initiatives that create public value.

NDTV World Summit 2026 held in New Delhi.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the NDTV World Summit 2026 in New Delhi on October 22, describing India’s shift from a back office to a brain office.

Key Highlights:
1.  India ranked first globally in real-time digital payments.
2.  Nearly 1.5 lakh patent applications were filed in 2025.
3.  India hosts 20% of the global semiconductor chip-design workforce.
4.  Non-fossil electricity capacity crossed 300 GW.
5.  India’s first Fast Breeder Reactor achieved criticality.

Additional Information:
1.  Domestic Penicillin G production resumed in Kakinada after a long interruption.
2.  The Production Linked Incentive Scheme began in 2020 and covers 14 strategic sectors.

ISRO to launch indigenous navigation satellite NVS-03 on October 30.

Dated: 26 October 2026

ISRO scheduled the launch of the indigenous navigation satellite NVS-03 aboard a GSLV Mk II rocket from Sriharikota for October 30, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  NVS-03 is part of the second-generation NavIC satellite series.
2.  The mission seeks to restore the minimum four-satellite base needed for positioning, navigation and timing services.
3.  The satellite carries a mix of indigenous and foreign atomic clocks.
4.  Only IRNSS-1B, IRNSS-1L and NVS-01 were operational after IRNSS-1F failed in March 2026.
5.  ISRO plans NVS-04 and NVS-05 launches at six-month intervals.

Additional Information:
1.  NavIC means Navigation with Indian Constellation and its development followed the Kargil War.
2.  ISRO was established on August 15, 1969 and is headquartered in Bengaluru.

Dilip Mahadu Gavit wins second gold at Asian Para Games.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Indian para-sprinter Dilip Mahadu Gavit won his second gold medal at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Gavit won the men’s 400m T47 final in 48.27 seconds.
2.  His first gold came in the men’s 100m T47 with 10.69 seconds.
3.  The 400m victory delivered India’s 20th gold of the Games.
4.  Bhavikkumar Bharwad won 400m silver in 49.31 seconds.
5.  Gavit had also won 400m T47 gold at the 2022 Asian Para Games.

Additional Information:
1.  T47 is for athletes with a unilateral upper-limb impairment.
2.  The first Asian Para Games were held in Guangzhou, China in 2010.

India Post revenue crosses Rs.4,000 crore for two consecutive quarters.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Department of Posts reported revenue above Rs.4,000 crore for two consecutive quarters during the first half of FY2026-27.

Key Highlights:
1.  First-half revenue reached Rs.8,212.7 crore, up 24% year-on-year.
2.  Q2 revenue was Rs.4,201.5 crore, recording 25% growth.
3.  Parcel revenue grew 71% and generated Rs.318.9 crore in Q2.
4.  Postal Life Insurance and Rural Postal Life Insurance grew 44%.
5.  Bihar Circle led Q2 target achievement with 97.15%.

Additional Information:
1.  The Department of Posts functions under the Ministry of Communications.
2.  Its apex management body is the Postal Services Board and headquarters is Dak Bhawan, New Delhi.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0 to focus on Thirukkural theme.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Education Ministry opened registration for Kashi Tamil Sangamam 5.0, scheduled from November 28 to December 12, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The theme is Thirukkural Payilvom - Thirukkural Abhyas Karen.
2.  About 1,400 participants will arrive from Tamil Nadu in seven groups of 200.
3.  The eight-day itinerary covers Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.
4.  A nationwide programme will involve 1,000 higher-education institutions.
5.  The Department of Higher Education is organising it with IIT Madras, BHU and CICT.

Additional Information:
1.  Kashi Tamil Sangamam was first organised in 2022 under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
2.  Thirukkural contains 1,330 couplets written by saint-poet Thiruvalluvar.

Mona Agarwal sets world record at Asian Para Games 2026.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Mona Agarwal set a world record as India crossed 100 medals at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Nagoya on October 23.

Key Highlights:
1.  She won women’s 50m three-position SH1 shooting gold with 357.5 points.
2.  It was her second gold after the women’s 10m air-rifle standing SH1 title.
3.  Haney set a javelin F37/38 world record of 60.49 metres.
4.  Sandeep clocked a T44 world record of 52.28 seconds in the 400m T64 event.
5.  Sheetal Devi won compound individual and mixed-team archery golds.

Additional Information:
1.  Sheetal Devi is the world’s first armless female para-archer.
2.  SH1 includes shooters who can support the weight of their firearm.

India and Poland aim to double bilateral trade by 2030.

Dated: 26 October 2026

India and Poland set a goal to double bilateral trade by 2030 during Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk’s India visit from October 21 to 23, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Both sides proposed a Defence Industry Dialogue for co-production and technology transfer.
2.  Poland supported India’s permanent membership in a reformed UN Security Council.
3.  It also backed India’s non-permanent UNSC candidature for 2028-29.
4.  Poland decided to join the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.
5.  India invited Poland to the International Solar Alliance and Global Biofuels Alliance.

Additional Information:
1.  The Visegrad Group includes Poland, Hungary, Czech Republic and Slovakia.
2.  The Jam Saheb Memorial Youth Exchange recalls Indian shelter for Polish refugees during World War II.

Hindi library Gyandeep inaugurated at Sena Bhawan.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated the Hindi library Gyandeep at Sena Bhawan, New Delhi on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The library was opened under the Defence Ministry’s Special Campaign 6.
2.  The campaign ran from October 2 to 31, 2026.
3.  It promotes Hindi literature and use of Rajbhasha in official work.
4.  Cleaning released about 35,000 square feet in South Block.
5.  The reclaimed area was surrendered to the Yuga Yugeen Bharat Museum project.

Additional Information:
1.  Hindi in Devanagari script is the Union’s official language under Article 343.
2.  The Department of Official Language works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

14th India Chem 2026 and BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme launched.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Union Minister J.P. Nadda inaugurated the 14th India Chem 2026 and launched the BHAVYA Rasayan Scheme in Mumbai on October 22.

Key Highlights:
1.  The event theme was Advantage Bharat: An Emerging Global Chemicals Hub.
2.  BHAVYA stands for Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna.
3.  The scheme will establish three dedicated chemical parks.
4.  Japan participated as partner country.
5.  Seven partner states included Maharashtra, Gujarat, Odisha, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.

Additional Information:
1.  India’s chemical industry is projected to reach USD 300 billion by 2030.
2.  FICCI was established in 1927 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

Rare accretion disk discovered around X-ray pulsar Centaurus X-3.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Raman Research Institute scientists identified a rare accretion disk and stream around the high-mass X-ray pulsar Centaurus X-3 on October 21, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Centaurus X-3 is about 24,000 light-years away.
2.  Its companion star has more than 10 times the Sun’s mass.
3.  The pulsar captures matter through a disk and stream rather than only direct stellar wind.
4.  The stream channels matter toward the pulsar’s magnetic poles.
5.  Its rotation can obscure primary X-rays and alter secondary radiation.

Additional Information:
1.  Raman Research Institute was founded by Nobel laureate C.V. Raman in 1948.
2.  A pulsar is a highly magnetised rotating neutron star emitting radiation beams.

VOC Port’s Tuticorin International Container Terminal declared Green Terminal.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Tuticorin International Container Terminal at V.O. Chidambaranar Port was designated a Green Terminal on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  All operational equipment at the terminal has achieved 100% electrification.
2.  The terminal deployed 13 electric internal-transfer vehicles.
3.  Green projects include methanol bunkering, green hydrogen pilots and wind-energy facilities.
4.  VOC Port has annual cargo-handling capacity of 82 MTPA.
5.  The outer-harbour project has an allocation of Rs.15,000 crore.

Additional Information:
1.  V.O. Chidambaranar Port is located at Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
2.  It is one of India’s 12 major ports and is named after freedom fighter V.O. Chidambaram Pillai.

Tripartite MoU signed for Scheduled Tribe youth livelihoods in Rourkela.

Dated: 26 October 2026

NSTFDC, NSIC and SAIL-Rourkela signed a tripartite MoU on October 22 to promote skills and entrepreneurship among Scheduled Tribe youth in Odisha.

Key Highlights:
1.  Training will operate through the Livelihood Business Incubation Centre in Rourkela.
2.  The centre was established in 2018 and recognised as a Centre of Excellence.
3.  SAIL-RSP supplies the site and ASPIRE provides plant and machinery.
4.  NSTFDC funds recurring expenditure through grants.
5.  More than 600 students have benefited and started enterprises.

Additional Information:
1.  NSTFDC was established in 2001 under the Tribal Affairs Ministry.
2.  Rourkela Steel Plant was India’s first public-sector integrated steel plant, built with German collaboration.

Anjanaben Bumbadiya wins 400m T47 gold at Asian Para Games.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Indian para-athlete Anjanaben Bumbadiya won the women’s 400m T47 gold at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  She finished in 59.97 seconds and was the only runner below one minute.
2.  India’s Jayanti Behera won silver in 1:00.65.
3.  Thailand’s Sasirawan Inthachot took bronze.
4.  Tejalben Damor won women’s 400m T12 silver in 57.60 seconds.
5.  The victory was Anjanaben’s first major international gold in her second international competition.

Additional Information:
1.  T47 covers athletes with upper-limb deficiency or impairment.
2.  T12 is a track category for visually impaired runners.

Law Commission holds Cooperative Federalism and Law Reforms conference.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Vice-President C.P. Radhakrishnan inaugurated the national conference on Cooperative Federalism and Law Reforms at Vigyan Bhawan on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Law Commission organised the event to discuss Union and state views on reform.
2.  More than 1,700 obsolete laws were repealed in the previous 12 years.
3.  Three colonial-era criminal laws were replaced.
4.  The conference sought coordination among national and state law commissions and departments.
5.  Reforms were linked to the Viksit Bharat 2047 goal.

Additional Information:
1.  The first Law Commission of independent India was formed in 1955 under M.C. Setalvad.
2.  The Vice-President is the ex-officio Chairman of Rajya Sabha under Article 64.

Fisheries Investors and Exporters Conclave 2026 held in Bhopal.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Fisheries Ministry and Madhya Pradesh Government organised the Fisheries Investors and Exporters Conclave 2026 in Bhopal on October 23.

Key Highlights:
1.  The conclave promoted a shift from production to an integrated fisheries value chain.
2.  Madhya Pradesh Fisheries Investment and Export Guidelines 2026 were launched.
3.  Export standard operating procedures for inland states were released.
4.  Madhya Pradesh was notified as a Reservoir Fisheries Cluster with 4.50 lakh hectares of water area.
5.  More than 1,000 fish farmers, producer organisations and cooperatives participated.

Additional Information:
1.  India produced 197.75 lakh tonnes of fish in 2024-25.
2.  The Amrit Sarovar Mission began on April 24, 2022 to develop 75 water bodies per district.

Dharmaraj Solairaj defends Asian Para Games gold with 7.15m record.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Dharmaraj Solairaj won men’s long-jump gold at the Asian Para Games 2026 in Aichi-Nagoya with an Asian-record leap of 7.15 metres.

Key Highlights:
1.  He competed in the combined T44/T62/T64 final.
2.  His 7.15-metre jump earned 807 Raza points.
3.  He surpassed his own 7.08-metre Asian record from the 2025 World Para Athletics Championships.
4.  Malaysia’s Eddy Bernard won silver and Japan’s Yuma Tamaki bronze.
5.  T64 covers lower-limb impairment or below-knee amputation with prostheses.

Additional Information:
1.  Solairaj is from Tamil Nadu.
2.  He also won gold at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games with 6.80 metres.

Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar and Indonesia sign Badr defence MoU.

Dated: 26 October 2026

Pakistan, Turkiye, Qatar and Indonesia signed the Badr defence MoU in Doha on October 21 to strengthen military-production cooperation.

Key Highlights:
1.  The pact covers military production and technical training.
2.  It integrates defence research and development among the four countries.
3.  It seeks to meet equipment needs of allied and friendly nations.
4.  India signed USD 630 million defence contracts with Indonesia in July 2026.
5.  Those procurements include BrahMos and Astra missiles.

Additional Information:
1.  BrahMos Aerospace is a 1998 India-Russia joint venture.
2.  Astra is India’s first indigenous beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile.

IICA signs MoU with Association of ARCs in India.

Dated: 26 October 2026

The Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs signed a five-year MoU with the Association of ARCs in India on October 22 to strengthen its Post Graduate Insolvency Programme.

Key Highlights:
1.  ARC experts will help align curriculum with industry requirements.
2.  Joint research will cover debt restructuring, financial markets and stressed assets.
3.  The pact supports internships, placements and an annual conference.
4.  A February 2027 conference will mark IBC@10 and SARFAESI@25.
5.  The cooperation follows the 2022 Sudarshan Sen Committee recommendations.

Additional Information:
1.  IICA was established in 2008 under the Ministry of Corporate Affairs.
2.  Asset Reconstruction Companies buy bank NPAs and are registered and regulated by RBI.

President attends Seva Samman Parv during Nuakhai festival in Raipur.

Dated: 26 October 2026

President Droupadi Murmu attended Seva Samman Parv and Yuva Prabodhan during the Nuakhai festival in Raipur on October 22, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The event celebrated agricultural tradition, social harmony and farmers’ contribution.
2.  The President stressed equal participation of women and youth in Viksit Bharat 2047.
3.  Yuva Prabodhan was launched to encourage innovation and national service.
4.  She highlighted Chhattisgarh youth moving from Naxalism into the national mainstream.
5.  Nuakhai honours Mother Earth and the first harvest of new rice.

Additional Information:
1.  Nuakhai is mainly celebrated in western Odisha and Chhattisgarh.
2.  Chhattisgarh became India’s 26th state on November 1, 2000.