CVC observes Vigilance Awareness Week 2026.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The Central Vigilance Commission observed Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 from October 26 to November 1 with the theme Probity for Prosperity.

Key Highlights:
1.  The integrity pledge was administered at Satarkata Bhawan in New Delhi.
2.  A three-month preventive vigilance campaign runs from August 17 to November 16, 2026.
3.  The campaign covers pending complaints, capacity building and digital initiatives.
4.  A workshop named Transformation Through Technology was scheduled for October 30.
5.  The observance promotes integrity and preventive vigilance in public administration.

Additional Information:
1.  CVC was established in 1964 on the Santhanam Committee recommendations.
2.  It received statutory status through the Central Vigilance Commission Act, 2003.

UP Cabinet approves PRAGATI Robotics and AI Park in Greater Noida.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved the PRAGATI Robotics and AI Park over 69.52 acres in Greater Noida on October 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  PRAGATI expands to Robotics and AI Growth Through Technology and Innovation.
2.  Zone 1 covers 8 acres under a PPP model through an SPV.
3.  Zone 2 covers 61.52 acres for private industrial units.
4.  Greater Noida Authority will hold 26% equity and the industrial partner 74%.
5.  The park targets 1 lakh jobs and Rs.2,000 crore annual addition to state GVA.

Additional Information:
1.  The state will provide an interest-free loan of Rs.126.2 crore for 30 years.
2.  Commercial operations must begin within 36 to 48 months of SPV registration.

NCRTC wins two awards at Urban Mobility India 2026.

Dated: 30 October 2026

NCRTC received the Best Passenger Service and Best Exhibitor awards at the 19th Urban Mobility India Conference in Bhubaneswar on October 28, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Best Passenger Service and Satisfaction was awarded for the Delhi-Meerut Namo Bharat corridor.
2.  NCRTC won Best Exhibitor for the second consecutive year.
3.  The corridor operates at a speed of 160 kmph with 99.9% punctuality.
4.  More than 4.8 crore journeys have been recorded since October 2023.
5.  Average daily ridership exceeds 1.1 lakh commuters.

Additional Information:
1.  NCRTC is a joint venture of the Union Government and Delhi, Haryana, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
2.  Namo Bharat is India’s first Regional Rapid Transit System.

ASUSE 2027-28 to align with financial year and include gender data.

Dated: 30 October 2026

MoSPI announced that the ASUSE 2027-28 survey cycle will follow the April-March financial year and collect gender-specific enterprise data.

Key Highlights:
1.  The survey will shift from the January-December calendar year.
2.  It will capture constraints faced by women entrepreneurs in the unincorporated sector.
3.  Identifiers for handloom, power-loom and handicraft establishments will be added.
4.  New questions will track electricity sources and fixed-asset investment.
5.  CAPI systems will be used for data collection.

Additional Information:
1.  ASUSE is conducted by the National Statistics Office and began in 2021-22.
2.  Its findings are disseminated through the Quarterly Bulletin of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises.

Centre permits E100 ethanol fuel for flex-fuel vehicles.

Dated: 30 October 2026

MoRTH amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules on October 26, 2026 to permit E85 to E100 fuel in specially certified flex-fuel vehicles.

Key Highlights:
1.  E100 contains 93-95% ethanol, 5-7% petrol and specified additives.
2.  The light-vehicle weight threshold was raised from 3,000 kg to 3,500 kg.
3.  Ethanol can be produced from sugarcane, maize and biomass.
4.  The Maruti Suzuki Wagon R Flex Fuel is India’s first flex-fuel passenger vehicle.
5.  Vehicles designed only for E10 or E20 must not use E85 or E100.

Additional Information:
1.  Flex-fuel engines use sensors to adjust operation to the petrol-ethanol ratio.
2.  Brazil has the world’s largest fleet of flex-fuel vehicles.

Indian Naval Academy develops twin-drone maritime rescue system.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The Indian Naval Academy developed a twin-autonomous UAV system for long-range maritime search and rescue operations on October 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  A quadcopter uses 2K optical and thermal cameras with a YOLO AI model for detection.
2.  A hexacopter delivers a lifebuoy to the detected GPS location.
3.  The quadcopter has 45-minute endurance, 50 kmph speed and 0.5 kg payload.
4.  The hexacopter has 25-minute endurance, 40 kmph speed and 2.5 kg payload.
5.  Both drones communicate by long-range RF within a 10 km radius.

Additional Information:
1.  The Indian Naval Academy is located at Ezhimala in Kannur district, Kerala.
2.  Its permanent campus was inaugurated on January 8, 2009.

IOA announces 17-member contingent for Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The Indian Olympic Association announced a 17-athlete Indian contingent for the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games.

Key Highlights:
1.  The Games are scheduled from October 31 to November 13, 2026.
2.  Indian athletes will compete across 11 sports.
3.  Dakar in Senegal will host the first Olympic event held in Africa.
4.  About 2,700 young athletes from 207 delegations are expected.
5.  The event includes 25 sports and athletes aged up to 17 years.

Additional Information:
1.  The Indian Olympic Association was established in 1927.
2.  PT Usha is its current President and first woman to hold the office.

Bukayo Saka wins Socrates Award at Ballon d’Or ceremony.

Dated: 30 October 2026

England footballer Bukayo Saka received the 2026 Socrates Award for his global humanitarian work on October 28.

Key Highlights:
1.  The award recognises the best humanitarian work by a footballer.
2.  Saka worked with Big Shoe to finance medical care and humanitarian aid.
3.  He funded surgeries for more than 100 children in Nigeria and other African regions.
4.  He supported emergency housing after earthquakes in Turkey and Morocco.
5.  He also backed long-term support projects for children and families in London.

Additional Information:
1.  The Socrates Award was established in 2022 in memory of the Brazilian footballer Socrates.
2.  Sadio Mane was its inaugural recipient in 2022.

IIT Mandi launches Science on Wheels initiative.

Dated: 30 October 2026

IIT Mandi launched Science on Wheels in Himachal Pradesh on October 17, 2026 to provide practical science education in rural schools.

Key Highlights:
1.  IIT Mandi developed the initiative with Plaksha University and the IDYM Foundation.
2.  The Department of Science and Technology funds and supports it.
3.  Students of Classes 6 to 12 receive six hours of laboratory-based learning per school.
4.  Themes include space technology, robotics, sustainability and water filtration.
5.  The project targets 50 schools in Mandi, Kullu, Bilaspur, Hamirpur and Kangra.

Additional Information:
1.  IIT Mandi was established in 2009 at Kamand in Himachal Pradesh.
2.  The Department of Science and Technology was established in May 1971.

SBI Life launches Waiver of Premium rider.

Dated: 30 October 2026

SBI Life Insurance launched a Waiver of Premium rider on October 27, 2026 to maintain policy continuity after critical illness or disability.

Key Highlights:
1.  The rider waives all future premiums after a covered contingency.
2.  It covers accidental total permanent disability.
3.  It covers 21 specified critical illnesses when proposer and life assured are the same.
4.  When they differ, the proposer’s death, disability and specified illnesses are covered.
5.  It is available with selected linked and non-linked individual life products.

Additional Information:
1.  It may be chosen at policy inception or a later policy anniversary.
2.  A minimum outstanding premium-payment term of five years is required.

Himachal Pradesh announces 5% DA hike for state employees.

Dated: 30 October 2026

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced a cumulative 5% dearness allowance hike for Himachal Pradesh government employees on October 23, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The increase includes a 4% instalment effective from January 1, 2024.
2.  It also includes a previously pending 1% instalment.
3.  Class IV employees will receive one-time financial relief of Rs.10,000.
4.  The revised DA and October arrears will be paid with the November salary.
5.  The state aims to become self-reliant and one of India’s wealthiest by 2032.

Additional Information:
1.  Himachal Pradesh became the 18th state on January 25, 1971.
2.  Shimla is its summer capital and Dharamshala its winter capital.

11th India-Indonesia Exercise Garuda Shakti begins.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The 11th India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise Garuda Shakti began at Banyuwangi, Indonesia on October 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The exercise runs from October 27 to November 6, 2026.
2.  India is represented by troops of the Parachute Regiment Special Forces.
3.  Indonesia is represented by personnel of its Special Forces.
4.  Training covers jungle special operations, combat marksmanship and mountaineering.
5.  Air assault, obstacle crossing and combat-hardening sessions are included.

Additional Information:
1.  The first Garuda Shakti exercise was held in 2012.
2.  It is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and Indonesian Army.

HCLTech opens semiconductor centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi.

Dated: 30 October 2026

HCLTech opened semiconductor development centres in Bengaluru and Hubballi on October 26, 2026 to support Japan’s Rapidus.

Key Highlights:
1.  HCLTech partnered with Rapidus for specialised semiconductor design and development.
2.  Both centres are located in Karnataka.
3.  The initiative will build a pipeline of Indian engineering talent.
4.  It will address Japan’s evolving semiconductor workforce needs.
5.  HCLTech was established in 1976 and is headquartered in Noida.

Additional Information:
1.  Rapidus is a Tokyo-based semiconductor manufacturer established in 2022.
2.  India Semiconductor Mission is the nodal agency for India’s semiconductor ecosystem.

Defence Ministry signs five-year AI MoU with Sarvam.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The Ministry of Defence signed a five-year MoU with Indian AI startup Sarvam on October 27, 2026 to develop indigenous AI for the armed forces.

Key Highlights:
1.  The agreement with Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff creates an umbrella framework for AI projects.
2.  It covers the Army, Navy and Air Force.
3.  Applications include operations, training and decision-support systems.
4.  Work includes target acquisition and sensor-to-shooter data fusion.
5.  Systems will run on sovereign infrastructure for national security.

Additional Information:
1.  Projects will be managed by Chanakya, Sarvam’s security and defence division.
2.  HQ IDS was established in 2001 after the Kargil Review Committee recommendations.

12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum adopts New Delhi Joint Declaration.

Dated: 30 October 2026

The 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum concluded in New Delhi on October 27, 2026 with the New Delhi Joint Declaration.

Key Highlights:
1.  The theme was Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development.
2.  The declaration called for early adoption of the UN Comprehensive Convention on International Terrorism.
3.  It expressed zero tolerance for terrorism and condemned the Pahalgam attack.
4.  India’s 2026 BRICS chairship theme is Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability.
5.  The forum marked 10 years of the BRICS Women’s Parliamentarians Forum.

Additional Information:
1.  It proposed a BRICS Plus group within the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
2.  China will assume the BRICS chairship in 2027.

Abhishek Sharma sets record for most T20 centuries by an Indian.

Dated: 30 October 2026

Abhishek Sharma scored his 11th T20 century as India beat New Zealand by 6 wickets in the third T20I at Wellington on October 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  He surpassed Virat Kohli for the most T20 centuries by an Indian.
2.  He reached the century in 33 balls and scored 113 from 38 balls.
3.  He completed his half-century in 14 balls.
4.  India scored a record 118 runs in the first six overs through Sharma and Vaibhav Sooryavanshi.
5.  The win gave India an unassailable 3-0 lead in the five-match series.

Additional Information:
1.  Sharma also holds the fastest T20I century by a Full Member player at 30 balls.
2.  Vaibhav Sooryavanshi scored 45 runs from 19 balls.

BRO Project ARUNANK celebrates 19th Raising Day.

Dated: 30 October 2026

BRO’s Project ARUNANK celebrated its 19th Raising Day at Naharlagun in Arunachal Pradesh on October 24, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The project uses geocells and alternative materials to improve road durability.
2.  It applies advanced slope-protection measures in high-altitude terrain.
3.  Environmental activities include plantation and cleanliness drives.
4.  Cyber-awareness programmes are conducted for local communities.
5.  Casual paid labourers receive shelters, protective clothing and medical camps.

Additional Information:
1.  Project ARUNANK was established in 2008 for road networks in Arunachal Pradesh.
2.  BRO was founded on May 7, 1960 and functions under the Defence Ministry.

CBSE Experience Centre inaugurated in New Delhi.

Dated: 30 October 2026

Union Education Minister Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the CBSE Experience Centre at Dwarka in New Delhi on October 27, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The centre covers 6,000 square feet with 12 zones and 21 exhibits.
2.  RFID smart cards enable interactive exhibits and personalised leaderboards.
3.  Shiksha Ki Kahani traces Indian education from Gurukul and Nalanda to digital classrooms.
4.  An Exam Warriors kiosk promotes stress-free examination practices.
5.  Career Explorer, Magic Mirror and holographic interactions support career learning.

Additional Information:
1.  The centre aligns with the experiential and holistic learning goals of NEP 2020.
2.  CBSE was established in 1929 and is headquartered in New Delhi.

IGNCA and ASI launch book Timeless India.

Dated: 30 October 2026

ASI and IGNCA launched Timeless India: Protection & Revival of Indian Cultural Identity at Dharohar Bhawan in New Delhi on October 28, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  The book was authored and edited by former MP and journalist Tarun Vijay.
2.  IGNCA and Subhi Publication jointly published it.
3.  It focuses on protecting and reviving Indian cultural identity.
4.  It highlights preservation of historic monuments and national heritage.
5.  The launch venue was ASI headquarters at Mandi House.

Additional Information:
1.  ASI was founded in 1861 by its first Director-General Alexander Cunningham.
2.  IGNCA was established in 1987 as an autonomous institution under the Culture Ministry.

Concessional Local Pass launched for National Highway fee plazas.

Dated: 30 October 2026

MoRTH introduced a Concessional Local Pass for eligible residents near National Highway fee plazas, effective November 1, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  Non-commercial vehicle owners living within 20 km of a fee plaza are eligible.
2.  The annual fee is Rs.1,500 outside municipal limits and Rs.3,000 within them.
3.  Manual issuance at eligible plazas begins November 1, 2026.
4.  Digital issuance through the Rajmargyatra App begins December 1, 2026.
5.  A valid functional FASTag is mandatory and the pass is non-transferable.

Additional Information:
1.  The pass is valid only for one specified fee plaza.
2.  The Central Government may revise rates every year from April 1.

India launches SAMHiTA manuscript digitisation project in Colombo.

Dated: 30 October 2026

India launched the SAMHiTA palm-leaf manuscript digitisation project at Gangaramaya Temple in Colombo on October 23, 2026.

Key Highlights:
1.  SAMHiTA means South Asian Manuscript Histories and Textual Archive.
2.  The India International Centre and Gangaramaya Temple are implementing the project.
3.  It will digitise ancient palm-leaf manuscripts on traditions, philosophy, rituals and art.
4.  The MoU was signed in July 2026 and completion is expected by the end of November 2026.
5.  The project uses grant assistance from the Government of India.

Additional Information:
1.  Gangaramaya Temple is the first Sri Lankan institution to join the initiative.
2.  The India International Centre was established in 1962 in New Delhi.

SEBI allows margin relief against Early Pay-In of securities.

Dated: 30 October 2026

SEBI directed clearing corporations on October 22, 2026 to exempt members from margin collection on later trades after accepted Early Pay-In of securities.

Key Highlights:
1.  The relief applies to clients with a net sell obligation in the cash segment.
2.  Exemption is limited to the value of accepted EPI.
3.  Eligible EPI is the lower of securities paid in and securities sold on the trade date.
4.  Clearing corporations must calculate the benefit in real time.
5.  If the sale position is squared off, the EPI benefit is removed.

Additional Information:
1.  Trade-for-trade securities are excluded and remain on gross settlement.
2.  SEBI became a statutory body under the SEBI Act, 1992.