Current affairs relevant to GS3.
On 15 October 2026 the Prime Minister inaugurated, by video conference, five projects worth about ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh: a new passenger terminal at Leh's Kushok Bakula Rimpochee Airport, the 298-km Nimmu–Padum–Darcha road built by BRO, the 9 MW Hanu small hydro project with a 66 kV line, India's first Petroglyph Conservation Park at Sindhu Ghat, and 40 water bodies under Project Him Sarovar.
15 Oct 2026
India's merchandise exports rose 23.04% to US$ 44.40 billion in September 2026, data released by the Commerce Ministry on 15 October show. Imports were US$ 74.61 billion, leaving a goods trade deficit of US$ 30.21 billion. Counting services, exports reached about US$ 80.75 billion and the combined deficit was US$ 13.30 billion.
15 Oct 2026
On 14 October 2026 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved 10955230 Canada Inc., a Fairfax Financial Holdings entity, as strategic buyer of 60.72% of IDBI Bank for about Rs. 52,878 crore. The Government sells 30.48% and LIC 30.24%. The winning bid of Rs. 81 a share beat the Rs. 75.99 benchmark.
14 Oct 2026
On 14 October 2026 the Centre approved India's accession to the Southern Indian Ocean Fisheries Agreement. India, a Cooperating Non-Contracting Party since 2022, will become a full Contracting Party. Indian vessels can then fish squids, toothfish, alfonsino and other non-migratory stocks in the SIOFA area and join its scientific and compliance bodies.
14 Oct 2026
On 14 October 2026 the Centre set up a committee under Prof. Ramesh Chand, former NITI Aayog Member, on issues raised by sugarcane farmers. It will examine returns to cane growers, the ex-mill Minimum Selling Price of sugar, how sugar recovery is tested, weighment at mills, and deductions on mechanically harvested cane.
14 Oct 2026
Wholesale Price Index inflation (base 2022-23) rose to 11.39% in September 2026, provisional, from 9.92% in August. Fuel and Power led at 25.85%, with mineral oils at 40.02%. Primary Articles rose 8.67%, Manufactured Products 9.76% and the WPI Food Index 8.66%. July's final figure stayed at 9.78%.
14 Oct 2026
On 12 October 2026 the India Meteorological Department dedicated a Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System to the nation. The WebGIS platform shows cyclone track, intensity, winds, rainfall, storm surge and district-wise warnings on one map for disaster managers and the public.
13 Oct 2026
PM Dhan-Dhaanya Krishi Yojana (PMDDKY) completed its first year on 11 October 2026. At a national conference in New Delhi the next day, Gaya, Nagaur and Umaria were ranked the best-performing districts. The scheme covers 100 lagging farm districts and pulls 36 Central schemes of 11 Ministries into one district plan.
13 Oct 2026
The PM GatiShakti National Master Plan turned five on 13 October 2026. A PIB backgrounder says the GIS platform now covers 58 Central Ministries and all 36 States and UTs. Its Network Planning Group has evaluated 396 projects worth about ₹18.66 lakh crore, and a new transport authority, ITLA, has been approved.
13 Oct 2026
The 21st Maritime State Development Council met in Mumbai on 13 October 2026. It was the first MSDC after the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (notified 15 May 2026) made the Council a statutory body. Members adopted Vision 2030 and 2047 targets and set March 2027 deadlines for One Nation One Port Process and Maritime Single Window integration.
13 Oct 2026