National Current Affairs, 26 October 2026

National Current Affairs, 26 October 2026 | Quiz4Exam

Defence Acquisition Council clears proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore

defence · nda, cds, afcat, ssc-cgl

The Defence Acquisition Council, chaired by the Raksha Mantri, accorded Acceptance of Necessity to capital acquisition proposals of the defence forces at an estimated cost of about Rs 2,12,000 crore on 26 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328486&reg=3&lang=1

About 82 per cent of the procurements will be made from Indian industry.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328486&reg=3&lang=1

For the Navy the approval covers the Active Offboard Decoy System, which is meant to strengthen defence against modern anti ship missiles.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328486&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Acceptance of Necessity is the first stage of a defence purchase, not the contract, and that distinction is the question.

Linked static GK: The Defence Acquisition Council is chaired by the Defence Minister and is the highest decision making body on defence procurement.

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Raksha Mantri calls for Aatmanirbharta 2.0 at SWAVLAMBAN 2026

defence · nda, cds, afcat, ssc-cgl

The Raksha Mantri called for Aatmanirbharta 2.0 in the defence sector at SWAVLAMBAN 2026, describing it as the next leap in defence self reliance.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328590&reg=3&lang=1

He described supply chain management as a strategic imperative and called for a time bound roadmap identifying critical technology, industries and resources.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328590&reg=3&lang=1

He released the Compendium of Technology Imperatives, Problems Statements and Future Concepts and the Swavlamban 5.0 document.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328590&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

SWAVLAMBAN is the Navy innovation seminar tied to iDEX, and the named documents released at it are the detail a paper asks for.

Linked static GK: iDEX, Innovations for Defence Excellence, was launched in 2018 to fund startups working on defence problems.

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Raksha Mantri to lead the Indian delegation at the 13th ADMM-Plus in the Philippines

international · upsc-prelims, nda, cds, ssc-cgl

The Raksha Mantri will lead the Indian delegation at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus at Cebu in the Philippines from 28 to 29 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328397&reg=3&lang=1

ADMM is the highest defence consultative and cooperative mechanism in ASEAN, and ADMM-Plus brings in its eight dialogue partners.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328397&reg=3&lang=1

India became a dialogue partner of ASEAN in 1992, and the inaugural ADMM-Plus was convened at Hanoi in Vietnam on 12 October 2010.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328397&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

ASEAN groupings are asked by membership and founding year, and both are stated here.

Linked static GK: ASEAN has ten member states and was founded in 1967 by the Bangkok Declaration; Timor Leste is its newest member.

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Cyclonic storm Arnab forms over the Bay of Bengal, NCMC reviews preparedness

governance · upsc-prelims, ssc-cgl, rrb-ntpc, police-constable

The Cabinet Secretary chaired a meeting of the National Crisis Management Committee to review preparedness for the impending cyclone in the Bay of Bengal.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328434&reg=3&lang=1

The India Meteorological Department briefed that the deep depression had intensified into the cyclonic storm Arnab.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328434&reg=3&lang=1

It is likely to cross the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam coasts between Bapatla and Visakhapatnam as a very severe cyclonic storm with wind of 115 to 125 kmph gusting to 140 kmph by the forenoon of 28 October 2026.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328434&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

A cyclone is asked by its name, the basin it formed in and where it crossed the coast, and the name is assigned by a rota of countries.

Linked static GK: The National Crisis Management Committee is chaired by the Cabinet Secretary; cyclone names in this basin come from a list maintained by the regional panel of thirteen countries.

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Technology Development Board backs a green satellite propulsion project with Rs 116 crore

science-and-technology · upsc-prelims, ssc-cgl, rrb-ntpc, nda

The Technology Development Board under the Department of Science and Technology signed an agreement for Rs 116 crore of support under the Research Development and Innovation Fund.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328399&reg=3&lang=1

The total project cost is Rs 277.63 crore and it covers a green propulsion system for satellites and launch vehicles across the 5 mN to 300 N thrust class.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328399&reg=3&lang=1

The technology uses a hydrogen peroxide based green propellant with additives, supported by an integrated engine and catalyst system.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328399&reg=3&lang=1

The programme aims to advance the technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to Level 9.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328399&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The Technology Development Board is the body that funds commercialisation of Indian technology, and it is confused with the research councils.

Linked static GK: The Technology Development Board was set up in 1996 under the Department of Science and Technology to finance the commercialisation of indigenous technology.

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IIT Kharagpur to set up India first dedicated School of Physical AI

science-and-technology · upsc-prelims, ssc-cgl, rrb-ntpc, cuet-ug

IIT Kharagpur signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding to establish the Benjamin Gupta School of Physical AI, described as India first dedicated academic school focused on Physical AI.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328548&reg=3&lang=1

The initiative is worth Rs 35 crore, with Rs 12.5 crore from the Vinod Gupta family, Rs 10 crore from an anonymous alumnus and the balance from IIT Kharagpur.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328548&reg=3&lang=1

Physical AI is described as a shift from artificial intelligence centred on data and algorithms towards AI that interacts with and controls the physical world.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328548&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

A first of its kind institution is asked by name and host institute, and both are stated here.

Linked static GK: IIT Kharagpur, established in 1951, was the first of the Indian Institutes of Technology.

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MoSPI tracks 1,853 central infrastructure projects worth Rs 37.56 lakh crore

economy · ssc-cgl, ibps-po, rrb-ntpc, rbi-grade-b

As of September 2026, 1,853 ongoing infrastructure projects with a total latest cost of Rs 37.56 lakh crore are being monitored across 17 central ministries and departments.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328472&reg=3&lang=1

Cumulative expenditure on these projects is Rs 17.73 lakh crore, about 47.21 per cent of the project cost.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328472&reg=3&lang=1

Of the 1,853 projects, 780 are mega projects costing Rs 1,000 crore and above and 1,073 are major projects below that.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328472&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The ministry that publishes infrastructure monitoring is asked by name, and the mega versus major threshold is a clean one mark question.

Linked static GK: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation also releases the Index of Industrial Production and the Consumer Price Index.

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Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan

polity · upsc-prelims, ssc-cgl, rrb-ntpc, mpsc-group-c

The Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurated the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum 2026 and called for empowering parliaments to advance people centric development.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328441&reg=3&lang=1

The inaugural session was held at the historic Samvidhan Sadan in the Parliament House Complex.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328441&reg=3&lang=1

The Prime Minister interacted with parliamentary delegations from the BRICS countries.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328441&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Samvidhan Sadan is the renamed old Parliament building, and that renaming is itself a standing question.

Linked static GK: The old Parliament House was renamed Samvidhan Sadan in 2023, when proceedings moved to the new Parliament building.

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Prime Minister congratulates Lula on his election victory in Brazil

international · upsc-prelims, ssc-cgl, ibps-po, rrb-ntpc

The Prime Minister congratulated Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on his victory in the presidential elections in Brazil.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328341&reg=3&lang=1

He expressed eagerness to work closely with him to deepen and expand the India Brazil Strategic Partnership.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328341&reg=3&lang=1

He said both nations will advance the shared priorities of the Global South.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328341&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

Brazil sits in BRICS, IBSA and the G20 with India, so a change of government there is asked alongside those groupings.

Linked static GK: Brazil is a member of BRICS and of IBSA along with India and South Africa, and its capital is Brasilia.

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Motor vehicle rules amended to support E85 and E100 flex fuel vehicles

environment · ssc-cgl, upsc-prelims, rrb-ntpc, rrb-alp

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989 to support flex fuel vehicles using E85 and other high ethanol fuels.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328642&reg=3&lang=1

The amendments update the emission certification provisions by expressly including E100 alongside E85.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328642&reg=3&lang=1

E85 is a petrol and ethanol blend containing up to 85 per cent ethanol by volume, where the letter E denotes ethanol and the number its proportion.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328642&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The ethanol blending numbers are asked literally, and the rule being amended is the Central Motor Vehicles Rules of 1989.

Linked static GK: India met its 20 per cent ethanol blending target ahead of schedule, and ethanol blending is run by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas.

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New Jaipur to Santragachi express flagged off, Amrit Bharat covers over 1,300 stations

infrastructure · rrb-ntpc, rrb-group-d, rrb-alp, ssc-cgl

The Union Minister for Railways flagged off the Jaipur Khatipura to Tatanagar to Santragachi Express, taking part through video conferencing.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328643&reg=3&lang=1

The new rail service is to strengthen connectivity between Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328643&reg=3&lang=1

The Railway Minister said redevelopment under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme is underway with more than 1,300 stations taken up across the country.

Sources: https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2328643&reg=3&lang=1

Why this matters

The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme station count moves, and the current figure is what a railway paper asks for.

Linked static GK: The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme was launched in 2023 for the long term redevelopment of railway stations.

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Defence Acquisition Council clears proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore

Raksha Mantri calls for Aatmanirbharta 2.0 at SWAVLAMBAN 2026

Raksha Mantri to lead the Indian delegation at the 13th ADMM-Plus in the Philippines

Cyclonic storm Arnab forms over the Bay of Bengal, NCMC reviews preparedness

Technology Development Board backs a green satellite propulsion project with Rs 116 crore

IIT Kharagpur to set up India first dedicated School of Physical AI

MoSPI tracks 1,853 central infrastructure projects worth Rs 37.56 lakh crore

Lok Sabha Speaker inaugurates the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan

Prime Minister congratulates Lula on his election victory in Brazil

Motor vehicle rules amended to support E85 and E100 flex fuel vehicles

New Jaipur to Santragachi express flagged off, Amrit Bharat covers over 1,300 stations

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