Latest Current Affairs 23 October 2026

International Current Affairs

1. SCO Heads of Government Meeting

The 25th Meeting of the Council of Heads of Government of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) was held in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. India announced that it would host the first SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum by the end of 2026.

Key Points:

• Organisation: Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO)

• Meeting venue: Dushanbe, Tajikistan

• India's upcoming initiative: First SCO Civilisational Dialogue Forum

• Expected timeline: By the end of 2026

2. India–Poland Bilateral Trade Target

India and Poland agreed to double their bilateral trade to $12 billion by 2030 during Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk's official visit to India. Both countries also discussed expanding defence-sector cooperation and co-production.

Key Points:

• Polish Prime Minister: Donald Tusk

• Bilateral trade target: $12 billion by 2030

• Major focus areas: Trade, defence and industrial cooperation

3. India–New Zealand Customs Cooperation

The Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC) signed a Memorandum of Cooperation with the New Zealand Customs Service to facilitate the electronic exchange of origin-related data. The initiative aims to improve customs procedures and trade facilitation in connection with the bilateral Free Trade Agreement.

Key Points:

• Indian organisation: CBIC

• Partner organisation: New Zealand Customs Service

• Main objective: Electronic exchange of origin data

• Expected benefit: Faster and more efficient customs procedures

4. Major Earthquake in Tibet

A powerful earthquake measuring 7.0 on the Richter scale reportedly struck the Nagqu region of Tibet, causing damage to buildings and infrastructure.

Key Points:

• Location: Nagqu region, Tibet

• Magnitude: 7.0

• Major impact: Infrastructure damage and house collapses

 Economy and Banking

5. IMF Revises Global Economic Growth Forecast

The International Monetary Fund (IMF) reportedly lowered its global economic growth forecast for 2026 to 3.1%. Geopolitical tensions and supply-chain pressures were cited as important factors affecting the global economic outlook.

Key Points:

• Organisation: International Monetary Fund (IMF)

• Global growth forecast: 3.1% for 2026

• Projected headline inflation: 4.4%

• Major concerns: Geopolitical conflicts and supply-chain disruptions

6. Crude Oil Prices and Indian Stock Markets

Indian benchmark stock indices experienced significant weekly losses amid rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East. Brent crude oil futures reportedly climbed to $114 per barrel, increasing concerns about inflation and India's import costs.

Key Points:

• Benchmark indices: Nifty 50 and BSE Sensex

• Reported Nifty level: 22,600

• Reported Sensex closing level: 73,123.83

• Brent crude oil: $114 per barrel

• Major concern: Rising oil prices and market volatility

7. Jio Platforms IPO

The $3.2 billion initial public offering (IPO) of Jio Platforms reportedly attracted substantial investor demand, with subscriptions reaching 13.8 times the shares offered. The development also drew attention to liquidity conditions in the financial markets.

Key Points:

• Company: Jio Platforms

• Reported IPO size: $3.2 billion

• Subscription level: 13.8 times

• Important term: IPO means Initial Public Offering

8. Appointment of FSIB Chairperson

The government appointed former MSME Secretary Subhas Chandra Lal Das as the part-time chairperson of the Financial Services Institutions Bureau (FSIB).

Key Points:

• Appointee: Subhas Chandra Lal Das

• Organisation: Financial Services Institutions Bureau

• Position: Part-time chairperson

• Previous role: Secretary, Ministry of MSME

9. NSDC Debuts on the Social Stock Exchange

The National Skill Development Corporation (NSDC) reportedly made its debut on the NSE Social Stock Exchange using Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP) instruments. Such instruments enable eligible social organisations to raise funds for approved social-development projects without conventional interest or principal repayment.

Key Points:

• Organisation: National Skill Development Corporation

• Platform: NSE Social Stock Exchange

• Instrument: Zero Coupon Zero Principal (ZCZP)

• Main objective: Financing social-development initiatives

 Awards and Honours

10. Sakharov Prize 2026

According to the supplied current-affairs report, the European Parliament announced the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its officials as the collective winners of the 2026 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought for their contributions to international justice, human rights and the rule of law.

Key Points:

• Award: Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought

• Awarding institution: European Parliament

• Reported recipient: International Criminal Court and its officials

• Main theme: Human rights and the rule of law

 Sports Current Affairs

11. India's Performance at the Asian Para Games 2026

Indian para-athletes reportedly achieved notable success at the Asian Para Games, winning gold medals in several events. Among the athletes mentioned were Sachin Sarjerao Khilari, Pranav Sharma and Anjanaben Bumbadiya.

Key Points:

• Sachin Sarjerao Khilari: Men's F46 shot put, reported throw of 15.87 metres

• Pranav Sharma: Reported gold in a men's F51 throwing event

• Anjanaben Bumbadiya: Women's 400-metre T47

• Exam focus: Para-sports classifications and Indian medal winners

12. Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship

The inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship reportedly began at the Veer Savarkar Sports Complex in Ahmedabad, with 23 teams representing 13 nations.

Key Points:

• Venue: Veer Savarkar Sports Complex, Ahmedabad

• Participating teams: 23

• Participating nations: 13

• Sport: Kabaddi

13. 70th National School Games

The 70th National School Games were inaugurated at Thyagaraj Stadium in Delhi. The event was expected to bring together more than 14,000 student-athletes across 14 sporting disciplines.

Key Points:

• Venue: Thyagaraj Stadium, Delhi

• Participants: Over 14,000 student-athletes

• Sports disciplines: 14

• Main purpose: Promoting school-level sports and young talent

14. India–New Zealand T20 International Series

India reportedly defeated New Zealand by four wickets in Christchurch to take a 1–0 lead in a five-match T20 International series.

Key Points:

• Format: T20 International cricket

• Venue: Christchurch, New Zealand

• Reported result: India won by four wickets

• Series position: India led 1–0

Science and Technology

15. NASA's Perseverance Rover Sets a Mars Driving Record

NASA's Perseverance rover reportedly set a new extraterrestrial driving-distance record after covering 28.06 miles, equivalent to approximately 45.22 kilometres, on Mars. It surpassed the previous record associated with NASA's Opportunity rover.

Key Points:

• Space agency: NASA

• Rover: Perseverance

• Planet: Mars

• Reported distance: 45.22 kilometres

• Previous record-holder: Opportunity rover

16. Indian Astronomer Selected for NASA Mission

NASA reportedly selected Indian astronomer Dr. Ramya Manjunath Anche as the Principal Investigator for the PUFFINS satellite mission under its Astrophysics Pioneers programme.

Key Points:

• Scientist: Dr. Ramya Manjunath Anche

• Space agency: NASA

• Mission: PUFFINS

• Position: Principal Investigator

• Programme: Astrophysics Pioneers

17. ISRO's Upcoming NVS-03 Navigation Satellite

The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) reportedly planned to launch the NVS-03 navigation satellite on 30 October 2026 using a GSLV Mk II rocket. The mission aims to strengthen India's indigenous Navigation with Indian Constellation (NavIC) system.

Key Points:

• Space agency: ISRO

• Satellite: NVS-03

• Reported launch date: 30 October 2026

• Launch vehicle: GSLV Mk II

• Navigation system: NavIC

18. Global Cybersecurity Alert

Emergency security patches were reportedly deployed to address critical software vulnerabilities described in the supplied reports as “PHP2Shell.” The incident highlighted the importance of promptly updating server software and applying security fixes.

Key Points:

• Field: Cybersecurity

• Main concern: Critical software vulnerabilities

• Recommended response: Apply verified security patches and update affected systems

Environment and Ecology

19. International Snow Leopard Day

International Snow Leopard Day was observed on 23 October. Reports associated with India's first national snow leopard assessment estimated that the country had approximately 718 snow leopards.

Key Points:

• Observance: International Snow Leopard Day

• Date: 23 October

• Reported Indian population: 718

• Conservation focus: Protecting snow leopards and their high-altitude habitats

20. Green Diwali Campaign 2026

WWF-India and government environmental authorities were reported to be promoting the Green Diwali Campaign 2026 to encourage environmentally responsible celebrations and reduce air pollution.

Key Points:

• Campaign: Green Diwali Campaign 2026

• Organisation mentioned: WWF-India

• Related initiative: Mission LiFE

• Objective: Reducing pollution and encouraging sustainable lifestyles

21. 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference

India reportedly hosted the 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference, focusing on the combined use of agricultural land and solar-energy installations.

Key Points:

• Event: 7th Agrivoltaics World Conference

• Host country: India

• Main concept: Agrivoltaics

• Objective: Combining agricultural production with solar power generation

 Government Schemes and Initiatives

22. Reforms in the National Social Assistance Programme

The Union Cabinet reportedly approved changes to the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) concerning disability pension eligibility. The reported reforms lowered the disability threshold from 80% to 40% benchmark disability and removed the minimum age requirement of 18 years.

Key Points:

• Scheme: National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• Disability threshold: Reportedly reduced to 40%

• Previous threshold: 80%

• Reported age-related change: Removal of the minimum age requirement

• Relevant legislation: Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act, 2016

23. AI Training for Government Officials

Karmayogi Bharat reportedly signed a Memorandum of Understanding with OpenAI to promote AI literacy and the use of artificial intelligence tools in government officials' training programmes.

Key Points:

• Indian organisation: Karmayogi Bharat

• Technology partner: OpenAI

• Main focus: AI literacy and responsible AI adoption

• Target group: Government officials

24. National Strategic Trade Command Centre

Union Minister Piyush Goyal reportedly launched the National Strategic Trade Command Centre to improve coordination and enforcement of India's strategic export controls.

Key Points:

• Initiative: National Strategic Trade Command Centre

• Minister mentioned: Piyush Goyal

• Main objective: Strengthening strategic trade oversight and export-control enforcement

25. Ten Years of the UDAN Scheme

The Regional Connectivity Scheme, known as UDAN, marked the tenth anniversary of its launch. The initiative aims to improve regional air connectivity and make air travel more accessible.

Key Points:

• Scheme: UDAN — Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik

• Launch anniversary: 10 years

• Sector: Civil aviation

• Objective: Improving regional connectivity and affordable air travel

 Indian States Current Affairs

26. Andhra Pradesh: SIMBEX-26 Maritime Exercise

Visakhapatnam reportedly hosted the opening ceremony of SIMBEX-26, a bilateral maritime exercise between the Indian Navy and the Republic of Singapore Navy. INS Nilgiri and INS Kamorta were mentioned in connection with the event.

Key Points:

• State: Andhra Pradesh

• Venue: Visakhapatnam

• Exercise: SIMBEX-26

• Participating navies: Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy

27. Uttar Pradesh: Assistant Teacher Recruitment

The Uttar Pradesh education department reportedly released recruitment advertisements for 17,735 Assistant Teacher posts. Preparations were also reported for the fifth edition of Kashi Tamil Sangamam, involving Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya.

Key Points:

• State: Uttar Pradesh

• Reported vacancies: 17,735 Assistant Teachers

• Cultural event: 5th Kashi Tamil Sangamam

• Associated cities: Varanasi, Prayagraj and Ayodhya

28. Madhya Pradesh: Khet Bachao Abhiyan

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan reportedly launched the Khet Bachao Abhiyan for the Rabi 2026 season to support crop protection and agricultural inputs for farmers.

Key Points:

• State: Madhya Pradesh

• Campaign: Khet Bachao Abhiyan

• Season: Rabi 2026

• Main focus: Crop protection and farmer support

29. Delhi: Demonstrations Regarding Electoral Roll Revision

Delhi reportedly witnessed peaceful demonstrations and marches by civil society groups concerning the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls.

Key Points:

• Location: Delhi

• Issue: Special Intensive Revision of electoral rolls

• Participants: Civil society groups

• Main subject: Electoral roll revision and related public concerns

Quick Revision: Most Important Facts

1. SCO meeting: Dushanbe, Tajikistan.

2. India–Poland trade target: $12 billion by 2030, as reported.

3. IMF global growth forecast: 3.1% for 2026, as reported.

4. FSIB chairperson: Subhas Chandra Lal Das.

5. Sakharov Prize 2026: ICC and its officials, according to the supplied report.

6. NASA Mars rover: Perseverance.

7. Perseverance's reported driving distance: 45.22 kilometres.

8. ISRO satellite: NVS-03.

9. Reported NVS-03 launch date: 30 October 2026.

10. Reported Indian snow leopard population: 718.

11. NSAP disability threshold: Reportedly 40%.

12. Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship: Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

13. 70th National School Games: Thyagaraj Stadium, Delhi.

14. UDAN: Regional Connectivity Scheme.

15. SIMBEX-26: Indian Navy and Republic of Singapore Navy.