Current Affairs Today

We are here for you to provide the important Recent and Latest Current Affairs October 4 & 5 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.

Our Current Affairs October 2026 events will help you to get more marks in Banking, Insurance, SSC, Railways, UPSC, CLAT and all State Government Exams.

Dear Aspirants,
With effect from 26 January 2026, the Exam Hint and In-Depth Content of articles (news) will be available exclusively in our Daily PDF (Toppers CA PDF).
To access the Toppers CA PDF, please subscribe to the Crack Current Course on the CareersCloud app or website.

Read Current Affairs in CareersCloud APP, Course Name – Learn Current Affairs – Free Course –Click Here to Download the APP

We are Hiring – Subject Matter Expert – English | CA Video Creator | Content Developers(Pondicherry)

Click here for Current Affairs October 2 & 3 2026

Click here for Affairscloud Hindu Free Vocabs telegram channel

NATIONAL AFFAIRS

MoC&I and MoT Extend RoDTEP and RoSCTL Schemes Till 31 December 2026
In September 2026, the Department of Commerce (DOC) under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I) and the Ministry of Textiles (MoT) extended the RoDTEP (Remission of Duties and Taxes on Exported Products) and RoSCTL (Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies) schemes, respectively, till 31 December 2026, amid geopolitical disruptions, particularly in West Asia.
RoDTEP Extension: DoC extended the RoDTEP scheme from 30 September to 31 December 2026, retaining existing rates and value caps.
Objective:  Refunds embedded Central, State and local duties, taxes and levies to reduce export costs and improve competitiveness.
 RoSCTL Extension: : MoT extended RoSCTL scheme for exports of apparel, garments, and made-ups from October 1 to December 31, 2026, with existing rates and guidelines unchanged to ensure policy continuity.
Objective: RoSCTL reimburses embedded State and Central taxes and levies that are not refunded through other mechanisms, supporting the competitiveness of India’s labour-intensive textile sector.

MoP Notified New CAFE Norms; Targets Around 17% Improvement in Car Fuel Efficiency by 2032
In September 2026, the Ministry of Power (MoP) notified the  Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE)-III norms for passenger vehicles, applicable for a period of 5 years i.e. starting from  April 01 2027 to March 31, 2032.

• The newly notified norms will be applicable to M1 category motor vehicles(carrying 8 to 9 passengers including driver, excludes commercial vehicles) as specified under the Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.

Key Details of Revised CAFE Norms:
Fuel Consumption Target: Under the new CAFE framework, the fuel-consumption benchmark will be tightened progressively from 3.996 litres(l)/100 kilometre (km) (in 2027–28) to 3.3273 litres/100 km (2031–32), representing an improvement of nearly 16.7% over a period of 5 years.
Revised Vehicle Weights: Also, the Government of India (GoI) has raised the reference vehicle weight from 1,082 kilogram (kg) to 1,229 kg.
Credits and Multipliers: CAFE-III provides super credits for cleaner vehicle technologies, including Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)/Range-Extended Electric Vehicles (REEVs) – 3×, Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEVs) – 2.5×, and Strong Hybrid Electric Vehicles (SHEVs) – 1.6×.

Carbon Neutrality Factors (CNF): For alternative fuels, the revised framework introduced CNF, reducing a manufacturer’s declared CO2 emissions by:

• 8% for E20 and higher ethanol blended petrol vehicles, including specified hybrids;
• 22.3% for Flex-fuel ethanol vehicles;
• 5% for the Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) vehicles or the notified Compressed Biogas (CBG)-blending percentage, whichever is higher;
•  Actual Biofuel-blending percentage for diesel vehicles, as specified by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas (MoPNG).

Expansion of Fuel Conservation Credits: The revised CAFE norms has expanded recognised efficiency technologies from the existing 4 to 12 which include: start-stop system; tyre pressure monitoring systems; regenerative braking system; transmission with six or more forward gears; 12 Volt (V)/48V efficient alternator; 12V/48V motor-generator (micro-hybrid); among others.

Union Minister Rajnath Singh Launches Digital & Financial Initiatives at DAD’s 279th Annual Day
On October 1, 2026, Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) launched key digital and financial management initiatives during the 279th Annual Day of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) held at Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi aiming to enhance digitisation, transparency, and real-time financial monitoring in defence finance.
Highlights of Financial Initiatives at DAD’s 279th Annual Day:
Overview: The Raksha Mantri unveiled three major initiatives to strengthen integration of Financial Information Systems of the Defence Forces, improve accounting and tracking of defence expenditure, and operationalise the Treasury Single Account (TSA) system in the Ministry of Defence (MoD).

• Integration:  The System for Accounting and Knowledge Sharing Management (SAKSHAM) bill audit and payment system of the Defence Accounts Department has been integrated with the Indian Army Financial Information System (IAFIS) to enable real-time transmission of budget, sanction, and bill data, ensuring seamless information sharing and paperless processing.
• Treasury Single Account (TSA) system:  Operationalised through the Payment Routing and Integrated System Management (PRISM) platform and integrated with Reserve Bank of India (RBI)’s e-KUBER, ensures Just-In-Time fund release while improving grant management and expenditure visibility.
• Revamped National Compilation System (NCS):  Serves as a unified platform for accounting and compilation of defence expenditure, enabling accurate budget reporting, granular monitoring, and improved financial planning across the Ministry of Finance (MoF), Ministry of Defence (MoD), Service Headquarters, and Field Controllers.

NRIDA, IIM Kolkata Sign MoU for 4-Year Impact Assessment of PMGSY-IV & PM-JANMAN Rural Roads
In September 2026, the National Rural Infrastructure Development Agency (NRIDA), Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Indian Institute of Management Kolkata (IIM Kolkata), West Bengal (WB).

• The MoU is to conduct a four-year longitudinal impact assessment of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana Phase-IV (PMGSY-IV) and Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) rural roads.

About NRIDA-IIM Kolkata MoU:
Signatories: The MoU was signed by Aditi Singh, Director General (DG), NRIDA, MoRD, and Prof. Alok Kumar Rai, Director, IIM Kolkata, WB.
Objective: The four-year longitudinal study aims to evaluate long-term socio-economic impacts of rural road connectivity, including mobility, accessibility, livelihoods, and access to essential services.
Coverage: The study covers 10 States/Union Territories (UTs)—Andhra Pradesh (AP), Assam, Chhattisgarh, Jammu & Kashmir (J&K), Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh (MP), Odisha, Rajasthan, Sikkim, and Uttarakhand, spanning 50 districts, 150 blocks, 250 roads, and approximately 5,000 households.
Methodology: It follows a longitudinal approach with a 14-month Baseline Survey (Pre-Construction Survey), a 12-month transition period, and a 22-month Endline Survey (Post-Construction Survey) to assess changes over time across regions and populations.

DoPs Launches New Discovery Track Under PRIP Scheme with Rs 50 Crore Funding Support
In September 2026, the Department of Pharmaceuticals (DoP), Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers (MoC&F), announced the launch of a New Discovery Track under the Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma and MedTech (PRIP) Scheme.

•  The initiative supports startups and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) with financial assistance up to Rs 50 crore per project through the PRIP portal to bridge funding gaps in early-stage drug discovery and promote indigenous pharmaceutical innovation.

About New Discovery Track Under PRIP Scheme:
Objective: The New Discovery Track aims to bridge early-stage funding gaps in novel drug discovery, enabling high-risk research in New Chemical Entities (NCEs) and New Biological Entities (NBEs).
Features: It provides support with mandatory 25% co-funding, enabling projects to progress from Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 1–3 to TRL 6, with applications submitted via the PRIP Portal and evaluated on innovation, scalability, and alignment with national priorities.
Coverage: The scheme covers New Medicines (NCEs/NBEs), Complex Generics and Biosimilars, and Novel Medical Devices, with funding tracks including Early Stage (up to Rs 5 crore) and Later Stage (up to Rs 100 crore with 35% cap).
Data: Under the first call, 41 projects were approved with Rs 1,600 crore funding, indicating strong participation and potential for additional private investment.
About PRIP Scheme:  Launched on 17 August 2023 with an outlay of Rs 5,000 crore, implemented by DoPs, MoC&F, to strengthen the innovation ecosystem and support startups, MSMEs, and industry across the drug development lifecycle.

DIBD, CAG Launches ‘CAG-BHASHINI Anuvaad’ for AI-Based Translation of Audit Documents
In September 2026, Digital India BHASHINI (BHASHa INterface for India) Division (DIBD), under the Digital India Corporation (DIC) of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), collaboration with the Office of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG), launched ‘CAG-BHASHINI Anuvaad’ during the closing ceremony of the 74th ‘Hindi Diwas’ and ‘Hindi Pakhwada 2026’ at the CAG Office, New Delhi, Delhi.
About CAG-BHASHINI Anuvaad:
Overview: An Artificial Intelligence (AI)-based language solution developed by BHASHINI tailored for CAG, enabling translation of official documents and audit reports with context-aware conversion, consistent terminology, and improved translation quality.
Features: The platform leverages AI-based multilingual translation to enable secure access and data sovereignty, supported by human oversight for quality control and accuracy.
Capabilities: BHASHINI enables multilingual public services, including agricultural advisories, voice-based grievance systems, and conversational services through voice and telephone platforms.
About BHASHINI: Launched in 2022 under the National Language Translation Mission (NLTM), BHASHINI powers 800+ government websites, has enabled over 9 billion AI inferences, processes 24+ million daily, and supports 36 Indian text languages, 23 Indian voice languages and 35 international languages.

ICAR, FCI Sign MoU for Safer, Sustainable Fumigation Alternatives in Foodgrain Storage
In September 2026, the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop and research safer, sustainable alternatives to chemical fumigation for storage pest management in wheat and rice.

• The MoU was signed by Dr Nachiket Kotwaliwale, Director of ICAR-Central Institute of Post-Harvest Engineering and Technology (ICAR-CIPHET), and Dr A.K. Sinha, Executive Director (ED) (Quality Control), FCI.

About Research Programme:
Implementation: The project is implemented by ICAR-CIPHET, Ludhiana (Punjab), with Phase-I approved at a total budget outlay of Rs 3.28 crore, for research and field validation of alternative fumigation technologies.

• And, it is supported by the Department of Food & Public Distribution (DFPD) under the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution (MoCAF&PD).

Phases: The project comprises a two-year Phase-I with three major trials conducted in silos, warehouses of FCI and Central Warehousing Corporation (CWC), and hermetic storage systems, followed by a one-year Phase-II multi-location trial across agro-climatic zones to develop region-specific Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for large-scale implementation.
Technologies: The programme will evaluate nitrogen gas (N₂) of more than 99% purity, carbon dioxide (CO₂), and combined carbon dioxide (CO₂)-phosphine (PH₃) fumigation techniques across different storage systems.

DBN Signs Agreement with Maharashtra, MDIL, BSNL and MahaIT for Amended BharatNet Program
In October 2026, Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications (DoT), Ministry of Communications, signed an agreement at Sanchar Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi with the Government of Maharashtra, MahaNet Digital Infrastructure Limited (MDIL), Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), and Maharashtra Information Technology Corporation Limited (MahaIT).

• The agreement was signed for implementing the Amended BharatNet Program (ABP) in Maharashtra under the State-led model, with financial support of Rs 10,520 crore approved by the Government of India (GoI).

About Amended BharatNet Programme (ABP):
Objective: : The agreement aims to accelerate rural broadband expansion, strengthen telecom infrastructure and improve last-mile digital connectivity across Maharashtra.
Coverage: The programme will cover 28,237 Gram Panchayats, comprising 15,171 Phase-I Gram Panchayats to be upgraded from linear to ring topology, 12,740 Phase-II Gram Panchayats, and 326 newly created Gram Panchayats. In addition, 15,799 villages will receive connectivity on demand
Implementation: Under the State-led model, the programme will be implemented through MDIL, while BSNL and MahaIT will support network and digital-infrastructure execution.
About DBN: It is a central fund under DoT for telecom access in rural areas, succeeding the Universal Service Obligation Fund (USOF) established on 1 April 2002 and renamed under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

India Reaffirms Commitment to Whale Conservation at 70th IWC-70 Meeting in Australia
In September 2026, India reaffirmed its commitment to the Conservation of Whales and other Cetaceans at the 70th Meeting of the International Whaling Commission (IWC-70), held in Hobart, Australia, from 28 September to 2 October 2026.

• The meeting coincided with the 80th anniversary of the signing of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling.

About IWC-70:
Outcome: The meeting adopted the Hobart Declaration by consensus to mark the IWC’s 80th anniversary and passed resolutions on fish-maw trade-related cetacean bycatch, vessel strikes and cetacean strandings.
Leadership: IWC-70 elected Dr Urbain Brito of Benin as Chair and Anne-Marie Svoboda of the Netherlands as Vice-Chair.
India’s Stand: India called for science-based cetacean conservation, stronger international cooperation, better data on whale populations and threats, and closer coordination among governments, researchers and local communities.

• India protects cetaceans under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) and Project Dolphin, with the Arabian Sea humpback whale among 25 species identified for focused conservation.

IWC: Established under the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling, signed on 2 December 1946 in Washington, D.C., United States of America (USA), it currently comprises 89 member governments, with India joining IWC in 1981.

THE 2027 World Rankings: IISc Bengaluru Highest Ranked Indian Institution; University of Oxford Retained Top Spot
In September 2026, British magazine, Times Higher Education (THE) (Formerly, The Times Higher Education Supplement -The Thes), released its latest THE World University Rankings 2027 at World Academic Summit hosted by University of Cape Town (Cape Town, South Africa). As per the latest rankings, Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru ranked  highest ranked Indian institution, securing the 254th spot globally with an overall score of 57.

• Globally, the University of Oxford, the United Kingdom (UK), retained the top spot for the 11th consecutive year; followed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), the United States of America (USA), ranked at 2nd spot.

 About THE World University Rankings:
Key Parameters: The universities/institutions are ranked based on their performance across indicators such as: teaching(29.5%), research environment(29%), research quality(30%), international outlook(7.5%), and industry (4%).
Other Top Institutions: This year, both Princeton University (the USA) and Stanford University (the USA) shared the 3rd spot with an overall score of 97.

• It is followed by the University of Cambridge, the UK (ranked at 5th spot); Harvard University, the USA (ranked at 6th spot), among others.

Most Represented Country: With a total 168 universities, the USA emerged as the most represented country on this year’s rankings;followed by India(143) and Türkiye (124).

BANKING & FINANCE

BoB Becomes 2nd PSU lender as Sponsor of a Pension Fund Under PFRDA
In October 2026, Bank of Baroda (BoB), through its subsidiary BoB Pension Fund Management Company Limited, became the second Public Sector Bank (PSB) to receive the Certificate of Appointment as Sponsor of a Pension Fund from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA) under Section 27 of the PFRDA Act, 2013.

• The certificate was presented to Debadatta Chand, Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of BoB by Sanjay Lohiya, Secretary, Department of Financial Services (DFS) during the National Pension System (NPS) Divas 2026 event.

About BoB Pension Fund Management Company Ltd:
Subsidiary: BoB established BoB Pension Fund Management Company Limited as a PFRDA-regulated entity with an authorised capital of Rs.100 crore, holding an 80.10% stake, while Baroda BNP Asset Management Company (AMC) holds the remaining 19.90%.
Integration: BoB integrated the Tatkal NPS with the Bharat Interface for Money (BHIM) App, enabling paperless onboarding, seamless account opening, and wider digital access.
Benchmark: State Bank of India (SBI) was the first PSB to enter the pension fund segment in April 2008, with its subsidiary SBI Pension Funds Private Limited.
Target: PFRDA aims to expand NPS coverage by adding 2–4 crore subscribers over the next 2–3 years, targeting greater inclusion of non-government workers and broader workforce coverage by 2047
About BoB: Founded in 1908 and headquartered in Vadodara, Gujarat, BoB is a PSB owned by the Government of India (GoI), with the tagline “India’s International Bank.”

ECONOMY & BUSINESS

MoF Projects India’s GDP Growth at 7.3% in Q2 FY27
In October 2026, the Ministry of Finance (MoF) projected India’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to grow by 7.3% in the second quarter (Q2: July–September) of Financial Year 2026-27 (FY27), supported by resilient domestic demand and investment.

• The projection was presented in the MoF’s Monthly Economic Review (MER) for September 2026 and is based on its nowcasting model, which was unveiled in the Economic Survey earlier in 2026.

Key Findings:
Growth Momentum: India recorded 7.8% GDP growth in Q1 FY27 (April–June 2026).
Domestic Demand: Consumption and investment continued to support growth. Electricity and fuel consumption, bank credit expansion, production of capital goods and infrastructure-related activity indicated sustained economic momentum.
Sectoral Performance: The services sector remained strong, supported by new business and employment. Automobile sales also reflected steady demand across rural and urban markets.
Export Outlook: The MoF highlighted a positive export outlook. With total exports running at nearly USD 400 billion during the first five months of FY27, India’s overall exports could approach USD 1 trillion for the full financial year if the current pace is maintained.

APPOINTMENTS & RESIGNATIONS

HDFC Bank Appoints Anup Bagchi as MD & CEO; First External Candidate to Lead Bank
In October 2026, HDFC Bank Limited appointed Anup Bagchi as its Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a period of three years, becoming the first external candidate to head the bank,  after approval from the Reserve Bank of India (RBI).

• He assumed charge on October 27, 2026, succeeding Sashidhar Jagdishan, whose term ends on October 26, 2026.

Highlights of the Appointment of AnupBagchi:
Career:  He has over three decades of experience across banking, capital markets, and financial services, with extensive expertise in retail, wholesale, and investment banking.
Experience:  He previously served as MD & CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited and held key leadership roles at ICICI Bank and ICICI Securities, gaining strong exposure in treasury, markets, and corporate banking.

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

FWDA Partners with Portugal’s Keydef to Manufacture AI-Based UAVs
In October 2026, Indian deep-tech defence startup Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) partnered with Portugal’s Keydef, the defence and aerospace division of Sketchpixel LDA, to manufacture the Kaal Bhairava autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and YAMA swarm interceptor drone in Portugal for global markets, backed by an initial investment of EUR 6 million.

• The agreement was signed in the presence of Puneet Roy Kundal, Ambassador of India to Portugal, and Dulce Gomes, Consul-General of Angola in Porto at Keydef headquarters in Braga, Portugal.

Key Details of Agreement:
Manufacturing: The partnership will initially focus on manufacturing FWDA’s Kaal Bhairava autonomous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and YAMA interceptor drone in Portugal.
Focus: The partnership focuses on surveillance and air defence systems, alongside civilian uses like precision agriculture, with Keydef and Sketchpixel contributing to electronics, AI integration, and advanced system development.
Certification: Keydef and Sketchpixel will pursue North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) certification for systems manufactured in Portugal, enabling broader market access and enhanced commercial visibility across NATO countries.

SpaceX Launches 130 Payloads, including Google AI chips into LEO
In September 2026, Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX) successfully launched 130 payloads, including Google’s Project Suncatcher, aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, the United States of America (USA).
Key Details:
Mission: These payloads were successfully deployed into the designated Low Earth Orbit (LEO), as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-18 smallsat rideshare mission.
Project Suncatcher: Among the payloads launched, MVP is the first in-orbit experiment under Project Suncatcher, a space research programme announced in 2025, aims to build a full orbital data centre.

• The project is a prototype satellite designed to evaluate how the company’s Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), its Artificial Intelligence (AI) chips function in space and support AI and Machine Learning (ML) workloads.

Other Key Payloads: Some of the other key payloads launched as part of the mission: an assortment of commercial and government payloads, comprising cubesats, microsats, hosted payloads; two spacecraft  equipped with reentry vehicles, and four orbital transfer vehicles to deploy 41 payloads at later stages.

IMPORTANT DAYS

International Day of Older Persons 2026 – October 1
The United Nations (UN) observes the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP) annually across the world on 1 October to recognise the contributions of older persons and promote awareness of their rights, dignity, health and well-being.

• 2026 Theme: “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives”

Background:
Origin: The observance traces back to the 1982 World Assembly on Ageing, which adopted the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing.
UN Recognition: On 14 December 1990, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) adopted Resolution A/RES/45/106, designating 1 October as the International Day of Older Persons (IDOP).
First Observance: IDOP was first observed on 1 October 1991.
UN Principles: In 1991, UNGA adopted the UN Principles for Older Persons through Resolution A/RES/46/91 to promote the rights and well-being of older persons.

World Vegetarian Day 2026 – October 1
World Vegetarian Day (WVD) is observed annually across the world on 1 October to promote the ethical, environmental and health benefits of a vegetarian lifestyle.

• The word “vegetarian” is derived from the Latin term vegetus, meaning lively or vigorous.

Background:
Establishment: The North American Vegetarian Society (NAVS), based in New York, United States of America (USA), established World Vegetarian Day (WVD) in 1977.
Global Recognition: In 1978, the International Vegetarian Union (IVU) endorsed WVD, giving the observance international recognition.
Observance:
Vegetarian Awareness Month: WVD marks the start of Vegetarian Awareness Month, observed from 1–31 October, and concludes with World Vegan Day on 1 November.
International Vegetarian Week: International Vegetarian Week (IVW) is observed from 1–7 October.

International Coffee Day 2026 – October 1
International Coffee Day (ICD) is annually observed across the globe on October 1 to celebrate coffee and recognise the millions of farmers, workers and communities involved across the coffee value chain, while promoting a fairer, more resilient and sustainable global coffee sector.

• October 1, 2026 marked the first official observance of ICD following its designation by the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).
• 2026 Theme: “Celebrating Coffee, Honouring the People Behind Every Cup”

Background:
Origin: In March 2014, the Member States of the ICO agreed to organise ICD day annually on October 1, creating a common global day to celebrate coffee.
First Observance: The first International Coffee Day was observed on October 1, 2015. The date also coincides with the beginning of the coffee year in many coffee-producing countries.
2026 Events:
FAO Headquarters: On October 1, 2026, the FAO organised the inaugural official ICD celebration at its headquarters in Rome, Italy.

• The event highlighted coffee’s contribution to livelihoods, sustainable agrifood systems and international trade.
• It included exhibitions, showcases, educational activities and interactive experiences tracing coffee’s journey from seed to cup.

*******

Current Affairs Today (AffairsCloud Today)