09th October, 2026

1. MoEFCC Grants Environmental and CRZ Clearance for Greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri, Odisha
2. MIB Reconstitutes Press Council of India with 13 Journalist Members
3. MoCI Establishes FTA Utilisation Cell to Boost Free Trade Agreement Benefits for Indian Businesses
4. Philip Morris India and Litterati Collaborate to Address Littering Through Evidence-Based Solutions
5. Hical Technologies and Safran Aerosystems Signed MoU for Rafale System Manufacturing in India
6. Kochi-based EyeROV Delivers India’s First Military-Grade ROV to IN
7. Padma Shri Kathak Dancer Roshan Kumari Passed Away
8. World Post Day 2026 – October 9
9. Kerala Government Launched WOMN to Make Women’s Travel Easier
10. Windergy 2026 conference in Chennai
11. PM Modi to address Women and Child Development Summit in New Delhi today
12. Government caps margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs at 30% of MRP
13. India, Liberia Condemn Attacks on Shipping and Seafarers in Gulf, Black Sea
14. MNRE Organises Event to Mark World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day in New Delhi
15. India, Russia Discuss Military-Technical Cooperation, Defence Co-Production initiatives
16. Mumbai to Host World Hindu Congress 2026 from December 18 to 20
17. India, Estonia Discuss Deepening Cooperation in Telecom, AI and Emerging Technologies
18. India, Greece Discuss Maritime Cooperation, Coastal Security and Shipbuilding
19. NSO Signs MoU with Pahle India Foundation for Research, Data Analysis, Knowledge Sharing
20. India Targets $1 Trillion in Exports This Year: Piyush Goyal
21. Prasar Bharati, In-Dot Sports Announce Launch of Kisan Cricket League
22. Ayush services sector emerges as significant source of employment for women
23. SC directs Centre to form panel on regulation of pharmaceutical companies’ marketing practices
24. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav meets Australia’s Chris Bowen in Fiji ahead of COP31
25. Keralam Police Launches ‘Speak Up’ Task Force to Combat Domestic Violence
26. NFAI Acquires Three Sivaji Ganesan Classics Donated by FTII
27. WWF Living Planet Report 2026: Monitored Wildlife Populations Decline 73%
28. Lionel Messi’s Argentina Farewell: World Cup, Copa América Titles and Major Records

National News

Government Reconstitutes Press Council of India with 13 Members

• What: Government reconstituted Press Council of India (PCI) on October 8, 2026, by nominating 13 members, including six editors and seven working journalists, under provisions of Press Council Act, 1978.
• Tell me more:
  • PCI is headed by Justice Ranjana Prakash Desai (retd).
  • PCI is a statutory autonomous body established under Press Council Act, 1978, mainly to preserve press freedom and improve standards of newspapers and news agencies in India.

Commerce Department Creates FTA Cell To Boost Export Opportunities

• What: Department of Commerce established Free Trade Agreement (FTA) Utilisation Cell to help domestic businesses understand agreements, identify opportunities in partner markets and increase use of FTAs through industry associations, Export Promotion Councils and State Governments.
• Tell me more:
  • Cell will explain FTA benefits, prepare market-specific action plans with Export Promotion Councils and support implementation over the next four to five years.
  • Department will conduct discussions with States, industry and exporters during October, followed by district-level workshops during the current financial year.
  • India has finalised trade pacts with European Free Trade Association (EFTA), New Zealand, Mauritius, United Arab Emirates, Australia, Oman, European Union and United Kingdom.
  • EFTA, European Union and United Kingdom agreements together cover 32 countries, with majority of India’s trade expected at zero tariffs; agreements provide tariff predictability, supporting investment risks, supply-chain planning and business growth.
  • EFTA accounts for less than 1% of India’s total imports, valued at about USD 2-3 billion; Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agarwal suggested increasing India’s share to 2% of EFTA’s import basket within three to four years.

Windergy India 2026 Showcases India’s Growing Wind Energy Sector

• What: Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy Pralhad Joshi inaugurated the 8th edition of Windergy India 2026 at Chennai Trade Centre, focusing on manufacturing, technology and investment in wind energy.
• Tell me more:
  • India added record 6.05 gigawatts of wind power capacity during financial year 2025-26, taking cumulative installed capacity to 58.52 gigawatts by August 2026.
  • Another 28 gigawatts remains under implementation, supporting India’s target of achieving 100 gigawatts of wind power capacity by 2030.
  • Around 400 exhibitors from over 20 countries and 500 delegates will participate, with country pavilions from Denmark, Germany and Spain.

Women And Child Development Summit Focuses on Four National Priorities

• What: Ministry of Women and Child Development is hosting a two-day Departmental Summit at Sushma Swaraj Bhawan, New Delhi, to strengthen Centre-State cooperation and improve nutrition, child protection, women’s safety and empowerment.
• Tell me more:
  • Summit will focus on reimagining Anganwadi Centres, strengthening protection systems for vulnerable children, implementing women’s safety frameworks and improving outcomes of women empowerment schemes.
  • First-day discussions will cover Take-Home Ration, Hot Cooked Meals, Poshan Tracker data quality, Early Childhood Care and Education, social media impact on vulnerable children and women’s safety challenges.
  • Second day will focus on effectiveness of women empowerment schemes, with States sharing experiences, challenges and best practices before agreeing on time-bound outcomes.

Government Caps Margins on Non-Scheduled Anti-Cancer Medicines

• What: Government approved a cap limiting margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines to 30% of Maximum Retail Price (MRP), potentially reducing prices by up to 70% and helping cancer patients save ₹2,500 crore annually.
• Tell me more:
  • The government is capping the profit margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer medicines because sellers often increase their prices far above their cost, making treatment more expensive for patients.
  • The cap aims to make cancer medicines more affordable; an earlier cap reduced prices by up to 91% and saved patients ₹984 crore annually.
  • New cap will cover branded and generic, domestic and imported, patented and non-patented medicines, while manufacturers must maintain current production levels to ensure continued availability.

India and Estonia Explore Wider Technology and Trade Cooperation

• What: India and Estonia are exploring broader cooperation in technology, clean energy, defence, education and research, with Estonia’s Ambassador Kristi Karelsohn highlighting opportunities to expand bilateral trade, investment and business ties.
• Tell me more:
  • Bilateral trade reached approximately €200 million in 2025. Estonia sees opportunities in artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, industrial digitalisation, clean energy and specialised defence technologies.
  • India can help Estonian companies expand their specialised technologies, while Estonia offers expertise in digital identity, secure data exchange and cyber resilience.
  • Cooperation also covers hydrogen, battery materials, smart ports, advanced manufacturing and defence technologies. Indian company Incap Electronics operates three factories in Tumakuru, Karnataka, while around 200 Indian students study at Estonian universities.
  • Estonia supports closer India–EU economic integration, including lower tariffs, simpler customs procedures and better market access.

Supreme Court Seeks Regulation of Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices

• What: The Supreme Court directed the Centre to form a committee within two weeks to recommend stronger regulations against unethical pharmaceutical marketing practices and improve transparency, accountability and enforcement.
• Tell me more:
  • The petitioners argued that the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP), 2015, remains voluntary and lacks adequate enforceable penalties.
  • The Court observed that the existing framework has not fully prevented unethical practices in the pharmaceutical sector.

State News

Environment Ministry Clears Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri

• What: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) granted environmental and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) clearance for the greenfield Shree Jagannath International Airport on 471.348 hectares of land in Sipasarubali, Puri District.
• Tell me more:
  • The approval was based on the Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC)’s recommendation, with the airport being developed in phases and first-phase traffic estimated at 4.6 million passengers per annum (MPPA).
  • The site lies about 50 km from Biju Patnaik International Airport, Bhubaneswar.
  • A Wildlife Institute of India study flagged migratory bird risks to flights, as the site is close to Chilka Lake, a Ramsar Site and wetland of international importance.

Philip Morris India Partners With Litterati For Delhi Anti-Littering Programme

• What: Philip Morris India Trading Pvt Ltd partnered with civic technology platform Litterati for a 12-month anti-littering programme in Delhi under Project Unmesha, using community participation, data collection and artificial intelligence-enabled image recognition to identify litter hotspots and waste patterns.
• Tell me more:
  • The programme will map urban litter, track waste sources and hotspots using data, and guide targeted solutions for behaviour change, proper disposal and waste recovery.
  • Initiative follows #CleanWithBittu campaign, which removed more than 4,000 kg of litter across Delhi, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, sending over 1,600 kg for recycling or composting.
  • Project Unmesha places anti-littering and circularity within company’s environmental agenda while supporting evidence-based approaches and community participation linked to Swachh Bharat Mission goals.

Kerala Expands WOMN Initiative For Menstrual Needs Across Public Spaces

• What: Kerala Government launched ‘WOMN—Women On the Move & Menstrual Needs’ initiative at KSRTC Bus Terminal in Thampanoor to provide sanitary napkins during travel, with expansion planned across 93 additional depots and major public spaces.
• Tell me more:
  • Initiative aims to expand beyond bus terminals to major tourist destinations and other public spaces, supporting affordable access to sanitary napkins for women and girls.

World Hindu Congress 2026 to Be Held in Mumbai

• What: The fourth World Hindu Congress will take place at the Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai from December 18 to 20, 2026, bringing together Hindu leaders and institutions worldwide to connect, discuss issues and collaborate.
• Tell me more:
  • The event’s theme is “Samanam Vratam Saha Chittam – Shared Commitment, Collective Resolve”.
  • The event will feature four plenary sessions on dharma (religion and values), samaj (society), vishwakarma (skills and innovation) and bhasha (language and cultural identity), alongside the launch of the inaugural World Hindu Expo to promote trade, commerce and economic growth.

Keralam Police Launches ‘Speak Up’ Task Force

• Keralam Police has formed a dedicated special task force called ‘Speak Up’ to address domestic violence and protect and empower survivors.
• The campaign’s message is “End endurance, it is time to speak up.”

NFDC-NFAI Acquires Three Tamil Cinema Classics

• What: The National Film Development Corporation–National Film Archive of India (NFDC–NFAI), Pune, received three old Tamil film reels to preserve them for future generations.
• Tell me more:
  • The films include Thiruvilayadal (1965), Thiruvarutchelvar (1967) and Thillana Mohanambal (1968), starring Sivaji Ganesan and directed by A. P. Nagarajan.
  • Aparna Subramanian, Film Research Officer at the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), donated the three film reels to the National Film Archive of India (NFAI), Pune and Prakash Magdum, MD of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC).

International News

Group of Friends on Safety & Security of Shipping & Seafarers (GoF on S4)

• What: The Group of Friends on Safety and Security of Shipping and Seafarers is an international group formed to address threats to commercial ships and seafarers and strengthen maritime safety.
• Tell me more:
  • India and Liberia proposed the group. The group includes countries that own major shipping fleets, operate the world’s largest ship registries (Liberia), and supply large numbers of seafarers (India).
  • The inaugural meeting of the group was held in September 2026.
  • As co-chairs of the group, India and Liberia have strongly condemned a series of attacks on commercial ships and seafarers in the Gulf and its vicinity and the Black Sea over the past few days.
  • India separately proposed a Seafarers Emergency Support Network at the BRICS Summit to connect maritime authorities and embassies to coordinate distress alerts, medical assistance, family communication and evacuation support.

Pre-COP31 Negotiations Held in Nadi, Fiji

• What: COP31 of UNFCCC will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, next month. Australia, Fiji and Tuvalu co-hosted the Pre-COP31 meeting, where Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led the Indian delegation.
• Tell me more:
  • During the meeting, India called for an ambitious and balanced COP31 outcome, supported by climate finance, technology transfer and capacity-building, while respecting national priorities and accelerating Paris Agreement implementation through concrete action.
  • Yadav discussed technology transfer, energy access and coastal management with Tuvalu, reaffirming India’s commitment to sharing its experience with Tuvalu.
  • Yadav met Australia’s Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen, COP31 President of Negotiations, to discuss priority agenda items and efforts to bridge differences through an inclusive and transparent process.

Banking and Economy

India Targets $1 Trillion in Exports Amid Global Trade Slowdown

• What: Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal announced India’s target of achieving $1 trillion in exports during FY27, following $863 billion in FY26, despite expected global trade growth of only 2.5–3%.
• Tell me more:
  • India needs nearly 16% export growth to meet the target. Goyal expressed confidence in achieving it, supported by 63 million MSMEs, industries, global capability centres and around 250,000 startups.
  • India’s economy, currently worth around $4 trillion, could reach $30 trillion by 2047.
  • Five ‘T’s – Goyal highlighted technology, trust, trade, talent and tradition as the five foundations of India’s partnerships.
  • Technology adoption, cybersecurity, carbon mitigation, sustainability, labour reforms, social security, wages, worker amenities and ease of doing business remain important priorities.
  • The 31st CII Partnership Summit will take place in Visakhapatnam on November 12–13, 2026. Visakhapatnam’s upcoming Google artificial intelligence hub and Amaravati’s quantum valley will be Andhra Pradesh’s highlights during the summit.

Reports and Indices

Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) Released Ayush Service Sector Report

• What: The Ayush services sector supports an estimated 1.76 million livelihoods in India, with women accounting for 43% of its workforce and exceeding 50% in several organised segments.
• Tell me more:
  • The Ayush Service Sector Report by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS) found that women represent over 60% of the workforce in spas and wellness resorts, 58% in educational institutions, 57% in day-care centres and 53% in hospitals.
  • The sector’s market value is projected to rise from USD 36.92 billion in FY2024-25 to USD 216–318 billion by 2047, creating employment opportunities in healthcare, wellness, education, medical travel and allied services.
  • Standalone clinics generate US$16.21 billion, or 43.9% of sector revenue, while day-care centres contribute US$10.13 billion. Ayurveda accounts for US$17.73 billion, around 48% of total revenue.
  • The wellness segment is growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21.29%, while Yoga centres recorded around 75% revenue growth over two years. Medical Value Travel generated an estimated USD 1.77 billion in FY2024-25.

WWF Living Planet Report 2026

• What: The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) Living Planet Report 2026 found that monitored vertebrate wildlife populations declined by an average of 73% between 1970 and 2022, highlighting the growing global biodiversity crisis.
• Tell me more:
  • The Living Planet Index (LPI), produced by the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), analysed 35,803 population trends covering 5,790 vertebrate species.
  • Freshwater populations recorded the steepest decline at 85%, followed by terrestrial populations at 69% and marine populations at 59%.
  • Latin America and the Caribbean recorded the highest regional decline at 95%, followed by Africa at 80% and Asia-Pacific at 49%. North America recorded a 28% decline, while Europe and Central Asia recorded 23%.
  • Habitat loss and degradation were the most frequently reported threats, followed by overexploitation, climate change, pollution, invasive species and disease. These pressures are linked to wider problems in food, energy and finance systems.
  • Around 50% of monitored populations remained stable or increased, including turtles, tuna, tigers and elephants. However, reversing biodiversity loss requires broader systemic changes beyond conservation.
  • The finance sector must address an annual biodiversity funding gap of US$942 billion and stop financing harmful activities.

Defence News

EyeROV Delivers India’s First Military-Grade Underwater ROVs to Navy

• What: Kochi-based marine robotics and artificial intelligence startup EyeROV developed and delivered two military-grade EyeROV TROUT underwater Remotely Operated Vehicle (ROV) systems to Indian Navy, marking country-first milestone in indigenous underwater robotic technology.
• Tell me more:
  • The Indian Navy ordered five military-qualified TROUT systems for underwater inspection, surveillance, reconnaissance, search, recovery and robotic intervention, supporting critical naval operations through the Innovations for Defence Excellence (iDEX) ecosystem.
  • EyeROV developed TROUT under the iDEX DISC 7 SPRINT Challenge, integrating mechanical, electronic, software, navigation, sensing, communication and robotic-control technologies into a unified underwater platform.

India and Russia Discuss Defence Cooperation Initiatives

• What: India and Russia discussed existing military-technical cooperation and plans for joint production and development to strengthen the strategic defence partnership between the two countries.
• Tell me more:
  • The 24th Working Group meeting of the India-Russia Inter-Governmental Commission on Military Technical Cooperation and Defence Industry began with its inaugural session in New Delhi.
  • Secretary (Defence Production) Sanjeev Kumar and Andrey A. Boytsov, First Deputy Director of Russia’s Federal Service for Military-Technical Cooperation (FSMTC), co-chaired the session.

India Strengthens Defence Ties With Greece and Germany

• What: Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh held separate meetings with Greek Deputy Minister Stefanos Gkikas and German Ambassador Jasper Wieck in New Delhi to discuss defence cooperation and strategic ties.
• Tell me more:
  • India and Greece discussed maritime cooperation, coastal security, shipbuilding and seafarer safety, while India and Germany focused on strengthening bilateral defence cooperation and their strategic partnership.

Important Days

World Post Day 2026 – October 9

• 2026 theme: World Post Day: One postal network, infinite possibilities
• This year, the World Post Day ceremony is taking place at the UPU International Bureau in Berne, Switzerland.

World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day 2026 – October 8

• What: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) organised World Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Day event in New Delhi.
• Tell me more:
  • Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB), Petroleum and Explosives Safety Organisation (PESO) and Oil Industry Safety Directorate (OISD) participated.
  • A report titled “India’s Hydrogen Standards: Gap Assessment and Preliminary Action Framework”, prepared in association with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), was also released at the event.
  • National Green Hydrogen Mission was launched in January 2023 with ₹19,744 crore outlay, targeting annual green hydrogen production capacity of 5 million metric tonnes by 2030.

Sports

Kisan Cricket League to Discover Rural Sports and Singing Talent

• What: In-Dot Sports Pvt. Ltd. and Prasar Bharati launched the Kisan Cricket League (KCL), a national platform that will discover cricket and singing talent from rural and semi-urban India through digital auditions, artificial intelligence (AI) screening and physical trials.
• Tell me more:
  • KCL will select 140 cricketers across seven teams and 30 singers from a nationwide talent pool. Its inaugural cricket season will feature 45 live matches in a 15-over format across seven stadiums in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities.
  • The KCL mobile app will support registrations, online auditions and technology-based screening. The initiative aims to reach aspiring cricketers who lack access to conventional academies and professional scouting networks.
  • WAVES Over-The-Top (OTT) platform, Doordarshan and Akashvani will provide free access to live matches, two reality shows and participant biographies.
  • The league’s tagline is “Khelega Bharat, Dekhega India.”

Lionel Messi Bids Farewell to Argentina After Historic Career

• What: Lionel Messi will play his final match for Argentina against Benin in Buenos Aires after retiring from international football, concluding a career marked by a World Cup victory and several individual records.
• Tell me more:

Memorandum of Understanding

Hical Technologies And Safran Explore Rafale Systems Joint Venture in India

• What: Hical Technologies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Safran Aerosystems to explore a joint venture for manufacturing complex fluid, fuel and related systems for Dassault Rafale aircraft in India under Make in India initiative.
• Tell me more:
  • The proposed joint venture will manufacture advanced Rafale aircraft systems, expanding Hical’s existing Dassault Aviation partnership and strengthening India’s role in global aerospace and defence supply chains.
  • Safran Aerosystems will provide technology expertise, while Hical will contribute manufacturing capacity, including its new Devanahalli facility, to produce critical aerospace systems competitively in India.

NSO Signs MoU With Pahle India Foundation for Statistical Cooperation

• What: The National Statistics Office (NSO), under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Pahle India Foundation (PIF), New Delhi, to strengthen cooperation in official statistics and research.
• Tell me more:
  • The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation in data analysis, capacity building and knowledge sharing, with specific joint activities determined by MoSPI’s priorities.

Miscellaneous

Kathak Maestro Roshan Kumari Passes Away at 82

• Renowned Kathak dancer Roshan Kumari, a leading exponent of the Jaipur gharana, passed away.
• Her major honours included the Padma Shri, Sangeet Natak Akademi Award and Nritya Shiromani Award.

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