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Current affairsLand Warfare Doctrine 2026: India's Updated Framework for Future Multi-Domain WarsDefence Minister Rajnath Singh released the updated Land Warfare Doctrine at the Army Commanders' Conference (October 21–23, 2026) in New Delhi. The revised doctrine — replacing the December 2018 version — integrates artificial intelligence, drone warfare, multi-domain operations, and precision weapons into a 20–30-year strategic roadmap for the Indian Army to fight and win future conflicts. Current affairsRBI Data Centre & Cybersecurity Training Institute Inaugurated in BhubaneswarPrime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's new ₹169-crore Data Centre and Cybersecurity Training Institute in Bhubaneswar, Odisha on 25 October 2026. The data centre has received the Uptime Institute Tier IV certification — the highest global benchmark for data-centre resilience — and will host critical payment and settlement systems. The accompanying Cybersecurity Training Institute will provide specialised training in enterprise computing, AI, and quantum-computing-based cybersecurity. Current affairsLadakh Bench of J&K High Court Inaugurated: Access to Justice in India's Highest UTChief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant inaugurated the Ladakh Bench of the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh at Melongthang, Leh on October 18–19, 2026, ending years of geographic inaccessibility to justice for Ladakh's residents. The bench, approved by the Union Cabinet in August 2026, operates as a fully IT-enabled, paperless court and marks the culmination of judicial reforms triggered by the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019. Current affairsSCO Council of Heads of Government Meeting 2026: India at Dushanbe SummitDefence Minister Rajnath Singh represented India at the 25th Meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government (CHG) held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan on October 19–20, 2026. The meeting focused on trade, economic cooperation, investment, connectivity, and innovation among SCO member states. Current affairsNHRC India Faces GANHRI Accreditation Review: Downgrade from 'A' to 'B' StatusThe Global Alliance of National Human Rights Institutions (GANHRI) has postponed its final accreditation review of India's National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) to November 2026. NHRC faces a potential historic downgrade from 'A' (fully compliant) to 'B' (partially compliant) status under the Paris Principles, following concerns about independence, transparency in appointments, and its failure to adequately address serious human rights violations. Current affairsINS Surya: India Launches First Indigenously Built Fleet Support Ship at HSL VisakhapatnamDefence Minister Rajnath Singh launched India's first indigenously designed and built Fleet Support Ship (FSS), christened <em>Surya</em>, at Hindustan Shipyard Limited (HSL), Visakhapatnam on 6 October 2026. The 44,000-tonne vessel, first of a five-ship class built at a cost of ₹19,000 crore with ~82% indigenous content, will provide mid-sea replenishment of fuel, ammunition and provisions to Indian Navy carrier battle groups, dramatically enhancing the Navy's blue-water operational endurance. Current affairsRBI Special Dollar Window for PSU Oil Marketing Companies: Mechanism, Rupee Support, and Exam RelevanceThe Reserve Bank of India (RBI) announced on 10 October 2026 a dedicated special dollar window for India's three public sector oil marketing companies — Indian Oil Corporation (IOC), Hindustan Petroleum Corporation (HPCL), and Bharat Petroleum Corporation (BPCL) — effective from 12 October 2026. The measure aims to reduce pressure on the Indian rupee by channelling crude oil-related foreign exchange demand through a dedicated RBI facility rather than the open interbank market. Current affairsWorld Development Report 2026: 'The Promise of Artificial Intelligence' — Key Findings for India and Developing EconomiesUnion Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw launched the World Bank's flagship World Development Report 2026 — titled 'The Promise of Artificial Intelligence' — in New Delhi on 9 October 2026. The report finds that only ~4% of Indian jobs face immediate automation risk (vs one-third in advanced economies), recommends developing nations adopt open-source AI models for local needs, and positions AI as a productivity lever for healthcare, agriculture, and education in low- and middle-income countries. Current affairs57th GST Council Meeting (October 8, 2026): Arrest Powers Removed, Prosecution Threshold Raised to ₹5 Crore — Key DecisionsThe 57th meeting of the GST Council, chaired by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, was held on October 8, 2026 in New Delhi. The Council approved removal of arrest powers for GST officers under Section 69 of the CGST Act and raised the criminal prosecution threshold from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, shifting GST enforcement from coercive to compliance-trust-based mechanisms. Current affairsWorld Bank India Development Update October 2026: GDP Growth Forecast Raised to 7.1% for FY27, India Among Top 10 in AI ReadinessThe World Bank's India Development Update (October 2026) has raised India's GDP growth forecast for FY2026–27 to 7.1% (from 6.6% in April), citing robust domestic demand and export performance. The report's special focus — "India and Artificial Intelligence: Seizing the Development Opportunity" — ranks India among the top 10 emerging markets in AI readiness and notes that private AI investment in India tripled to USD 4.1 billion in 2025 from USD 1.2 billion in 2024. Current affairsRBI MPC October 2026 Decision: Repo Rate Raised to 5.5% — First Hike Since February 2023, Stance Shifts to Calibrated TighteningThe Reserve Bank of India's six-member Monetary Policy Committee (MPC), at its October 7, 2026 meeting chaired by Governor Sanjay Malhotra, unanimously raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.5% — the first increase since February 2023 — and shifted the policy stance to "calibrated tightening" as rising inflation and elevated global oil prices prompt the central bank to reverse its 2025 easing cycle. Current affairsIndia Mobile Congress 2026: 10th Edition Begins at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi — Theme 'Scale Without Boundaries', Focus on 6G, AI and SemiconductorsThe 10th edition of India Mobile Congress (IMC) 2026, Asia's largest digital technology forum, opened on October 7 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi, under the theme 'Scale Without Boundaries'. Organised by the Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and the Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI), the four-day event spotlights 6G, AI-native networks, semiconductors, quantum communications, and satellite connectivity — with Prime Minister Narendra Modi set to inaugurate on October 8.
In previous-year questions
- The Digital Personal Data Protection Act (DPDPA), 2023 governs data use within India's AgriStack/Farmer ID ecosystem. This Act was enacted under which entry of the Union List (Seventh Schedule)?UPSC · Current Affairs
- India's nuclear energy sector falls under which entry of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, making it exclusively a Union subject?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The Kerala (Alteration of Name) Bill, 2026, which proposes to rename Kerala as 'Keralam', was passed by the Lok Sabha on 11 August 2026. Under which Article of the Constitution of India does Parliament derive the power to alter the name of a state?UPSC · Current Affairs
- India's target for nuclear power capacity under the Viksit Bharat 2047 vision is 100 GW, up from approximately 8.8 GW currently. The Draft SHANTI Rules 2026 enable this by allowing private entities into nuclear power. Which constitutional provision gives Parliament the exclusive power to legislate on atomic energy, making State entry into nuclear power impossible without Central legislation?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The GST Council of India is a constitutional body created under which Article of the Constitution, inserted by the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act, 2016?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Which entry in the Union List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India gives Parliament exclusive power to enter into treaties with foreign countries?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Article 355 of the Indian Constitution imposes a duty on the Union to protect every state against external aggression and internal disturbance. This provision forms the constitutional basis for Central intervention in which of the following scenarios? 1. Deploying Central paramilitary forces for counter-Naxal operations in Chhattisgarh. 2. Invoking President's Rule under Article 356 when a state government fails to protect law and order. 3. The NIA assuming jurisdiction over terrorist attacks in states under the NIA Act, 2008.UPSC · Current Affairs
- Consider the following statements about India's space governance framework: 1. The Indian Space Policy 2023 is India's first codified space policy. 2. IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorisation Centre) enables private sector participation in space activities. 3. The Department of Space reports to the Ministry of Science and Technology. 4. Space activities fall under the Union Government's residuary legislative powers under Article 246 read with Entry 97, Union List. Which of the statements above are correct?UPSC · Current Affairs
- The 'Census' subject in the Indian Constitution is listed under which entry and which list of the Seventh Schedule?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the GST Council established as a constitutional body?UPSC · Current Affairs
- Telecommunications in India falls under which entry of the Union List (Seventh Schedule of the Constitution), giving the Central Government exclusive authority over the sector?UPSC · 2026 · Current Affairs