Current Affairs 29 October 2026

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs October 29 2026, which have unique updates of Latest Current Affairs 2026 events from all newspapers such as The Hindu, The Economic Times, PIB, Times of India, PTI, Indian Express, Business Standard and all Government official websites.

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoRTH Allows E100 Ethanol Fuel in Vehicles Designed for Flexible Fuel
In October 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) amended the Central Motor Vehicles Rules (CMVR), 1989, allowing the use of ethanol-based fuels that contain up to 100% ethanol (E100) in vehicles designed for flexible fuel.

• This move will  create a formal pathway for car manufacturers to launch E-100 compatible Flex-fuel Vehicles (FFVs) in the Indian market to reduce dependence on oil import and promote indigenous bio-ethanol.

Key Details:
Applicability: As per the official notification, E100 and E85 (fuel containing up to 85% ethanol) can only be used in vehicles designed by Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) as Flex-fuel Vehicles (FFVs).

• Also, the new rules expand the use of B100 diesel and Hydrogen-enriched Compressed Natural Gas (HCNG) combinations for heavy applications.

Exemptions: MoRTH has clarified that the owners of the existing vehicles are not required to switch to E85 or modify their vehicles either at present or in the future.

• It  has further clarified that the new rule of E85 or E100 is not applicable to the  vehicles compatible with lower blends (such as E10 and E20). 

Weight Limit Revision: The amended rules have raised the Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW) threshold for light petrol and diesel vehicles from the existing 3,000 kilogram (kg) to 3,500 kg.

HQ IDS Signs Five-Year MoU with Sarvam AI to Develop Sovereign AI Capabilities for Indian Armed Forces
In October 2026, the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), signed a five-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Artificial Intelligence (AI) company Sarvam AI to develop and deploy indigenous AI applications across the Indian Armed Forces.
Key Details of MoU:
Framework: Under the MoU, Sarvam will develop, deploy and maintain AI applications, while HQ IDS will coordinate implementation across IA, IN and IAF, enabling shared AI capabilities and knowledge across all three Services.
Model: Sarvam 105B, developed by Sarvam using a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) architecture, supports 22 Indian languages and serves as a foundation for developing AI applications and services.
Implementation: Sarvam’s Chanakya will execute the MoU projects, focusing on on-premises AI deployment, air-gapped military systems, multimodal data processing, agent-based workflows and defence-oriented AI applications.
Infrastructure: The framework will provide access to common AI foundation models, agentic infrastructure, geospatial systems and perception technologies, with applications focused on decision support, target acquisition, data fusion, training, knowledge management and research.

MoRTH Introduces Annual Toll Pass for Residents Within 20 km of Fee Plazas
In October 2026, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), introduced a Concessional Local Pass for eligible non-commercial vehicle owners residing within 20 kilometre(km) of a National Highway (NH) fee plaza, with annual fees of Rs. 1,500 for plazas outside municipal or local town limits and Rs. 3,000 for plazas within these limits. 

• The provision was notified through the National Highways Fee (Determination of Rates and Collection) (Fifth Amendment) Rules, 2026, under the National Highways Act, 1956.

Key Features of the Concessional Local Pass:
Objective: With over 13 crore FASTags issued across India, the provision aims to make travel more economical and enhance ease of commuting for local residents living near toll plazas.
Pass Options: Eligible residents can choose between the existing monthly pass and the new annual Concessional Local Pass.

• The existing monthly pass costs Rs. 360, amounting to Rs. 4,320 annually. 

Validity: The pass is valid only for the specific fee plaza and cannot be transferred to another plaza.
Revision: The Government of India may revise the rates annually, with revised rates taking effect from 1 April 2026.
Availability: The pass will be available at eligible toll plazas from 1 November 2026 and through the Rajmargyatra Application from 1 December 2026. It will not be available on NH or expressways using a closed user-fee collection system, or at fee plazas where a service road or alternative road is available.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

WJP Rule of Law Index 2026: India drops to 88th rank, Denmark tops list
In October 2026, the World Justice Project released the latest edition of the “WJP Rule of Law Index 2026”, the world’s leading source of original, independent rule of law data. India with an overall score of 0.48, ranked at 88th spot out of 143 countries (95% of world’s population) covered in the index, down from 86th (in 2025).

• Published annually since 2009, it serves as a quantitative tool that measures the rule of law in practice worldwide.

About WJP Rule of Index 2026:
Methodology: The index ranked the countries based on their scores which range from 0 to 1, where 1(highest possible score)signifies the strong adherence to rule of law and 0(lowest possible score) signifies the weak adherence to rule of law.
Key Factors: The index presents information on 8 main factors: Constraints on Government Powers, Absence of Corruption, Open Government, Fundamental Rights, Order and Security, Regulatory Enforcement, Civil Justice, and Criminal Justice.
Global Decline in Rule of Law: For the 9th consecutive year, the rule of law has declined worldwide, with scores falling in 62% of countries.
Top 3 Countries: Denmark with an overall score of 0.90, secured the top position in the index; followed by Norway (score of 0.89)and Finland (0.87) which are ranked at 2nd and 3rd spots, respectively.
Bottom 5 Countries: Venezuela with an overall score of 0.26 ranks lowest in the index; followed by Afghanistan (score of 0.31); Haiti (score of 0.31); Cambodia (score of 0.31); and Nicaragua (score of 0.32), ranked at 142nd, 141st, 140th and 139th spots, respectively.

IUCN Report Warns 96% of Assessed Coral Reef Ecosystems Face Risk of Collapse by 2075
In October 2026, the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) released the first global coral reef assessment under its Red List of Ecosystems(RLE) at the 17th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Yerevan, Armenia. 

• As per the report, nearly all shallow-water coral reef ecosystems (96% of the total coral reefs assessed by IUCN) have been classified as “Critically Endangered (CR)” and are expected to collapse by 2075.

About Global Coral Reef Assessment:
Coverage: The Red List of Ecosystems global assessment has covered all coral reef ecosystems in warm, shallow waters, spanning 127 tropical and subtropical ecoregions, and encompassing 188,362 square kilometers (sq. km) of coral reefs in more than 80 countries and territories.
Criteria: Each ecoregion was examined against 5 criteria: reduction in distribution; restricted distribution; environmental degradation; disruption of biotic processes; and quantitative risk analysis.
Data Deficient Ecosystems: Of the 127 coral reef ecosystems assessed by the IUCN, four were classified as Data Deficient (DD) due to insufficient scientific data to accurately evaluate their risk of collapse.
Impacted Regions: The report has classified the world’s largest and most biodiverse coral reef ecosystems, those within the Great Barrier Reef in Australia, the Coral Triangle in the western Pacific Ocean and Southeast Asia, the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System and the Red Sea coral reefs, as Critically Endangered (Critically EN), the highest level of threat.

India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Garuda Shakti 2026’ Begins in Indonesia
In October 2026, the 11th edition of the India–Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise ‘Garuda Shakti 2026’ commenced at Banyuwangi, Indonesia, to strengthen bilateral defence cooperation and operational interoperability between the Special Forces of both countries.

• The exercise is being conducted from 27 October to 6 November 2026, focusing on joint special operations training in jungle environments.

About Exercise Garuda Shakti 2026:
Objective:  To enhance mutual understanding, strengthen cooperation and improve interoperability between the Special Forces of India and Indonesia.
Contingents:  The Indian contingent comprises troops from the Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), while the Indonesian contingent comprises personnel from the Indonesian Special Forces.
Operations:  The exercise focuses on special operations in jungle environments, enhancing operational capabilities and improving coordination between the participating forces. 

Ministry of Culture Signs MoU with France’s BnF to Preserve India’s Manuscript Heritage
On October 26 2026, the Ministry of Culture, Government of India (GoI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bibliothèque nationale de France (BnF), or National Library of France, under the Gyan Bharatam Mission to strengthen cooperation in the preservation, digitisation, research and dissemination of manuscript and documentary heritage.

• The MoU was signed by Vivek Aggarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Culture, and Gilles Pécout, President of BnF, in Paris, France. 

Key Highlights of the MoU:
Framework: The partnership brings together the Ministry of Culture’s Gyan Bharatam Mission, National Archives of India in New Delhi, Delhi, National Library in Kolkata, West Bengal (WB), and BnF to identify and digitise Indic-origin manuscripts and collections held by BnF.
Focus: The MoU focuses on digitisation, cross-sharing through the National Digital Repository, technology exchange, conservation, and Research and Development (R&D).
Collaboration: The agreement promotes preservation technologies, cataloguing standards, Optical Character Recognition (OCR) and Handwritten Text Recognition (HTR) tools for Indian scripts, alongside collaborative research in manuscript studies and digital humanities.
Features: The agreement features joint workshops, capacity-building, collaborative research and publications, exhibitions, and exchanges of scholars and experts.
About Gyan Bharatam Mission: A flagship initiative of the Ministry of Culture, focuses on identifying, documenting, conserving, digitising, translating, researching and disseminating India’s manuscript heritage.

BANKING & FINANCE

SBI Inaugurates ‘CyRIS’ Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence in Mumbai, Maharashtra
In October 2026, State Bank of India (SBI), India’s largest bank, launched ‘CyRIS(Cybersecurity Centre of Excellence(CoE)), in Mumbai, Maharashtra, to strengthen cybersecurity capabilities, enhance threat intelligence and improve cyber resilience across India’s financial sector. 

• The centre was inaugurated by Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS), Ministry of Finance (MoF), in the presence of Challa Sreenivasulu (C. S.) Setty, Chairman of SBI.

About CyRIS:
Three Core Pillars: CyRIS integrates cybersecurity policy, training, research, innovation and threat intelligence under three pillars:

• THINK: Focuses on cybersecurity policies, talent development, cyber education and public awareness.
• INNOVATE: Promotes cybersecurity research, innovative solutions and benchmarking of security practices.
• DEFEND: Strengthens threat detection, incident response, cyber defence and institutional resilience.
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Key Focus Areas: The centre will focus on digital forensics, malware analysis, ethical hacking, fraud analytics, Artificial Intelligence (AI) security, threat intelligence and quantum-safe technologies.
Strategic Collaboration: CyRIS will promote partnerships with government agencies, regulatory bodies, financial institutions, fintech companies, academic institutions and technology partners to address emerging cybersecurity challenges.
Employee Training: During Financial Year 2025–26 (FY26), approximately 1.81 lakh SBI employees, out of a total workforce of 2.45 lakh, completed mandatory cybersecurity e-learning programmes.

PB Money Secures SEBI’s OBPP Licence to Expand Retail Access to Digital Bond Investments
On October 27, 2026, PB Money announced that it had secured an Online Bond Platform Provider (OBPP) licence from the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) to simplify bond investments and expand access to fixed-income products for retail investors.
About OBPP Licence:
Services: The OBPP licence enables PB Money to manage the complete bond investment process, including investor onboarding, Know Your Customer (KYC) verification, bond discovery, evaluation, order placement, payment coordination and post-investment services.
Bond Comparison: The platform enables investors to compare bonds based on yield, credit rating and investment amount, supporting informed investment decisions.
NSE Registration: PB Money is registered as a stockbroker in the debt segment of the National Stock Exchange of India (NSE), enabling investors to access bond offerings and trade secondary-market bonds and debentures.
Partnership: PB Money has partnered with Paisabazaar, allowing investors to explore bond offerings on Paisabazaar and complete transactions through PB Money.
About PB Money: Incorporated in 2008 and headquartered in Gurugram, Haryana, PB Money is an investment platform operated by PB Marketing and Consulting Private Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of PB Fintech Limited, with Vishwajeet Goel serving as its Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

Sanjay Singhal Gets Additional Charge of ITBP; Air Marshal Vikram Gaur Appointed DMA Additional Secretary
In October 2026, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) assigned Sanjay Singhal, Director General (DG) of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB), the additional charge of DG of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), effective from 31 October 2026.

• Meanwhile, Air Marshal Vikram Gaur became the first Indian Air Force (IAF) officer appointed as Additional Secretary in the Department of Military Affairs (DMA) under the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

Sanjay Singhal Assigned Additional Charge as ITBP DG:
Appointment: On 27 October 2026, the MHA approved the assignment of additional charge of ITBP DG to Sanjay Singhal, a 1993-batch Indian Police Service (IPS) officer of the Uttar Pradesh cadre.
Predecessor: He will take over from Shatrujeet Singh Kapoor, a 1990-batch IPS officer of the Haryana cadre, who is scheduled to retire on 31 October 2026.
Air Marshal Vikram Gaur Appointed DMA Additional Secretary
Historic Appointment: In October 2026, Air Marshal Vikram Gaur was appointed Additional Secretary in the DMA, becoming the first IAF officer to hold the position.
Previous Position: He served as Joint Secretary (Air & Staff Duties) in the DMA from October 2024.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

GSL Launches Fourth Indigenous Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel  ‘Srishti’ in Goa 
In October 2026, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL), a premier Defence Public Sector Undertaking which works under the Ministry of Defence (MoD), launched the Next Generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (NGOPV) named ‘Srishti(Yard 1283)’, developed for the Indian Navy (IN), at its shipbuilding facility in Vaddem, Vasco-da-Gama, Goa. 

• The ship was formally launched by Sandeepa Sahay, in the presence of Vishvajit Sahay, Secretary (Defence Finance), MoD, who was invited as Chief Guest at the launch event.

About NGOPV Srishti:
4th NGPOV: Indian Naval Ship (INS) Srishti is the 4th vessel developed under the Government of India (GoI)’s NGOPV programme and 2nd NGOPV built by GSL after “Shachi” which was formally launched in March 2026.
Name Meaning: The newly launched NGOPV named Srishti is a Sanskrit word which means “Creation” or “Act of Creating”.
Purpose: These indigenously designed and built vessels are expected to augment the capabilities of the existing Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPVs)/ Naval Offshore Patrol Vessels (NOPVs) for multi domain operations, such as maritime surveillance, Search and Rescue, protection of offshore assets, Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) and anti-piracy missions.
Other Launches: IN achieved a major milestone in the indigenous shipbuilding, with the launch of the 1st Sullage Barge (Yard 142); keel laying of the 3rd Sullage Barge (Yard 144); and keel laying of the 1st Bottom Opening Dumb Barge (Yard 148) during the ceremony held at M/s Suryadipta Projects Pvt. Ltd. in Thane (Maharashtra).

ENVIRONMENT

Researchers Discover New Flowering Plant Species ‘Osbeckia assamensis’ in Assam
In October 2026, researchers Namita Nath of Gauhati University, Assam, and Barnali Das of Pragjyotish College, Assam, documented Osbeckia assamensis, a new flowering plant species, in Manas National Park, Assam, through floristic surveys conducted from 2021 to 2025. 

• The discovery, published in the peer-reviewed international journal Phytotaxa, enriches Assam’s documented floral diversity.

About Osbeckia assamensis:
Taxonomy: Belongs to the family Melastomataceae and genus Osbeckia, which has 45 accepted species and 6 varieties according to the cited botanical sources.
Morphology: A perennial shrub growing 2–2.5 metres (m) tall, with a largely unbranched stem, large opposite leaves and pink flowers measuring 3–3.5 Centimeter (cm).
Features: Bears 30–35 flowers per inflorescence, compared with 5–12 in Osbeckia nayarii, and has distinctive stem, leaf, calyx and seed characteristics.
Other Discovery: Scientists formally identified Victoria colombiana, a new giant waterlily species in Colombia’s Inírida region, Guainía, marking the fourth recognised species of the genus Victoria, after Victoria amazonica, Victoria cruziana and Victoria boliviana.

SPORTS

World Boxing U19 Championships 2026: Russia Tops; India’s Aditya Wins Gold
The World Boxing U19 (Under-19) Championships 2026 were held in Budva, Montenegro, from 16–27 October, where India won four medals (1 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze) to finish joint seventh with Ukraine in the overall medal standings, while India’s Aditya won gold in the men’s 55 kg (kilogram) category, defeating Russia’s Islam Magomedov 4–1 in the finals.

• Russia topped the medal table with 10 medals (5 gold, 5 silver), followed by Uzbekistan with 8 medals (4 gold, 2 silver and 2 bronze) and the United States of America (USA) with 5 medals (2 gold, 1 silver and 2 bronze).

About World Boxing U19 Championships 2026:
Overview: The 2026 edition featured 474 athletes, comprising 306 men and 168 women, competing across 10 weight categories each in the men’s and women’s events.
Organizer: The second edition of the World Boxing U19 Championships was conducted under the auspices of World Boxing, the international governing body for Olympic-style boxing.
Weight Categories: Featured 20 weight categories in total, comprising 10 each for men and women.
India’s Medal Winners: Gold – Aditya (Men’s 55kg); Silver – Megha Sheokand (Women’s 80kg); Bronze – Harshika (Women’s 65kg), Prachi Tokas (Women’s 80+kg)

Mercedes’ Kimi Antonelli Claims Ninth Win at United States Grand Prix 2026
In October 2026, Italian driver Kimi Antonelli of Mercedes won the United States (US) Grand Prix (GP), a Formula One (F1) motor race (officially known as the F1 MSC Cruises US Grand Prix 2026) at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, United States of America (USA) securing his 9th victory of the season and moving closer to his first F1 World Championship.  

• It was the 47th edition of the F1 United States GP, the 18th round of the 2026 F1 World Championship, and Mercedes’s 10th victory of the 2026 season.

Highlights of the 2026 United States Grand Prix:
Winner: The 20-year-old Italian dominated the 56-lap race from pole position, finishing 13.078 seconds ahead of Charles Leclerc, who finished 4.407 seconds ahead of Max Verstappen. Verstappen crossed the finish line 17.485 seconds behind Antonelli.
Standings:  Antonelli led Mercedes teammate George Russell by 123 points and Ferrari’s Lewis Hamilton by 124 points after the race. He needed only two more points, or a ninth-place finish in Mexico, to secure the title.
Key Performers: Lewis Hamilton finished fourth for Ferrari, Lando Norris fifth for McLaren, Isack Hadjar sixth for Red Bull, and Oscar Piastri seventh for McLaren.

OBITUARY

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda Passed Away at 90
In October 2026, Yasuo Fukuda, Japan’s former Prime Minister (PM) and country’s first second-generation PM, passed away in Tokyo, Japan, at the age of 90. He was born on 16 July 1936 in Takasaki, Gunma Prefecture, Japan.
About Yasuo Fukuda:
Career: Yasuo Fukuda worked at Maruzen Petroleum for nearly 17 years before entering politics as his father’s secretary in 1976, being elected to Japan’s House of Representatives in 1990, and serving as Chief Cabinet Secretary from 2000 to 2004.
Premiership: Yasuo Fukuda served as Japan’s Prime Minister (PM) from September 2007 to September 2008, announcing his resignation on 1 September 2008 amid a divided parliament, legislative deadlock and declining public approval, and formally leaving office on 24 September 2008.
Diplomacy: Fukuda prioritised strengthening Japan’s relations with Asian neighbours, particularly China, and hosted Chinese President Hu Jintao in May 2008, marking the first visit by a Chinese head of state to Japan in a decade.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Animation Day 2026 – October 28
International Animation Day (IAD) is observed annually worldwide on October 28 to commemorate the birth of animation, marked by Émile Reynaud’s first public screening of projected animated images using his Théâtre Optique in Paris, France, on October 28, 1892.

• October 28, 2026, marks the 25th observance of IAD.

Background:
Establishment: In 2002, the Association Internationale du Film d’Animation (ASIFA) designated October 28 as International Animation Day (IAD) to commemorate the birth of animation.
First Observance: The inaugural IAD was observed on October 28, 2002.
2026 IAD Poster: The poster was created by Japanese animator Yoriko Mizushiri, featuring surreal imagery, subtle movements and sensory storytelling.

International Day of Care and Support 2026 – October 29
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Care and Support (IDCS) annually on 29 October to raise awareness of the importance of care work, promote gender equality, and encourage investment in inclusive, resilient and sustainable care systems.

• 29 October 2026 marks the 4th observance of the IDCS.
• 2026 Theme: “Building Sustainable Care and Support Systems through Decent Work.” 

Background:
Establishment: On 24 July 2023, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/77/317, proclaiming 29 October as the International Day of Care and Support (IDCS).
First Observance: The first IDCS was observed on 29 October 2023.
2026 Event: The International Labour Organization (ILO) is scheduled to commemorate the IDCS 2026 on 29 October 2026 in Geneva, Switzerland, highlighting the importance of care work and care systems in promoting social and economic development.

STATE NEWS

Uttarakhand CM Presents Supplementary Budget, Raising State’s Total Budget to Rs.1.19 Lakh Crore
In October 2026, the Uttarakhand Chief Minister (CM) Pushkar Singh Dhami presented the State and  Supplementary Budget for the Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27) at the Vidhan Sabha Bhawan in Gairsain, Uttarakhand increasing the total state budget to Rs 1.19 lakh crore (Cr).

• The supplementary budget aims to provide additional financial support for development programmes, infrastructure projects and public welfare initiatives. 

Key Details of Supplementary Budget
Supplementary Budget: The State Government (SG) presented a supplementary budget of Rs 7,844.18 Cr, with a focus on infrastructure development, agriculture, public services, and welfare schemes.
Expenditure: Out of the total supplementary allocation:

• Rs 4,164.32 Cr – has been earmarked for Capital Expenditure (CE)
• Rs 3,679.86 Cr – has been allocated under Revenue Expenditure (RE)

Development Vision: CM Pushkar Singh Dhami reiterated the state’s objective of becoming a developed, prosperous and self-reliant state by 2047.

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