07th October, 2026

1. Odisha Launches India’s First MICE Incentive Portal to Boost Business Tourism
2. MeitY Launches IndiaAI CAIK in Thiruvananthapuram, Keralam
3. IICT Signs Five MoUs at FICCI FRAMES 2026 to Strengthen AVGC-XR Ecosystem
4. TDB Signs Agreement with BigEndian Semiconductors for Rs 130 Crore RDI Support
5. India and Japan Launch Operational Manual for Joint Crediting Mechanism
6. India Highlighted Progress in Forest cover, Restoration and Climate action at COFO 28 in Rome, Italy
7. Adani Power and Bhutan’s DGPC Sign Pact for 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project
8. MoL&J Notified Appointment of Chief Justices of three HCs as Supreme Court Judges
9. Indian trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari Elected to OCA Athletes Commission
10. Max Verstappen Wins 2026 Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
11. World Cerebral Palsy Day 2026 – October 6
12. 10th India Mobile Congress 2026 Begins at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi
13. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed Next Chief of the Air Staff
14. Smriti Mandhana Appointed New Captain of Indian Women’s Cricket Team; Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down as India Women’s Cricket Captain
15. Bank of Baroda Becomes Second Public Sector Bank to Sponsor a Pension Fund
16. Kumkum Mohod, Sujeet Kalkal Named First Recipients of New IOA Awards
17. Elon Musk to Rename SpaceXAI as SpaceXSI
18. RBI appoints Shri Sudhakar Malli as new Executive Director
19. PM Modi says Cabinet decision gives major boost to MSME sector
20. Union Cabinet approves Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority
21. PM Modi & Swiss President Guy Parmelin to address 2nd India-EFTA Prosperity Summit 2026 in New Delhi
22. Defence Ministry signs ₹660 crore contract with BrahMos Aerospace for Navy
23. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed as 29th Chief of Air Staff
24. Tribal Affairs Ministry organises National Conclave on Constitutional Rights and Legal Provisions in New Delhi
25. DRDO successfully conducts flight trial of indigenously developed High-Altitude Platform
26. EAM S. Jaishankar visits Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia to review bilateral ties and cooperation
27. EAM Dr S. Jaishankar arrives in Accra to advance India-Ghana Comprehensive Partnership
28. Nagaland launches Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana to support 4,000 vulnerable households
29. World Bank raises India’s GDP growth projection to 7.1 from 6.6 % for this fiscal

National News

India Japan Launch JCM Operational Manual

• What: India and Japan launched the Operational Manual for the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM), establishing procedures to implement bilateral cooperation on low-carbon technologies, climate finance and emission reductions.
• Tell me more:
  • The JCM will promote advanced low-carbon technologies, technology cooperation and climate finance while supporting emission reductions and removals in India.
  • The mechanism operates under Article 6.2 of the Paris Agreement, following the Memorandum of Cooperation signed in August 2025 and Rule of Implementation adopted in June 2026.
  • The Manual provides a clear framework covering the complete project cycle, from submitting a Project Idea Note to issuing and authorizing JCM credits.
  • The mechanism aims to support sustainable development and strengthen transparency and confidence in international carbon markets.

10th Edition of India Mobile Congress 2026 Held in New Delhi

• What: Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the 10th edition of the India Mobile Congress (IMC) at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi under the theme of “Scale Without Boundaries”.
• Tell me more:
  • The Department of Telecommunications (DoT) and Cellular Operators Association of India (COAI) will jointly organise IMC 2026 from October 7 to 10.
  • The event will feature the Ministerial Programme on “Investing in the Next Billion Digital Connections”, CEO Roundtable on “The Sovereign Inflection & the Future of Telecom”, AI for Good, and Cyber Security Summit.
  • The programme will also include the 6G Symposium, Startup World Cup India 2026, ITU Build-A-Thon on AI Agents for 5G Networks, AI Safety India-UK Panel, and Robotics for Youth Challenge.

Cabinet Approves ₹10,000 Crore SME Growth Fund and Integrated Transport Logistics Authority

• What: Union Cabinet approved ₹10,000 crore SME Growth Fund to provide direct equity investments in small and medium enterprises, and setting up of Integrated Transport & Logistics Authority (ITLA) for greater coordination and multimodal integration across transport ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • Government will provide ₹10,000 crore to an Alternative Investment Fund under the SME Growth Fund framework announced in Union Budget 2026-27 to mobilise capital for manufacturing, services, innovation-driven sectors and strategic value chains
  • SME Growth Fund will help enterprises scale, adopt advanced technologies, expand manufacturing, enter global markets and join global value chains through equity, liquidity and professional support.
  • Cabinet also approved a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) as the Integrated Transport and Logistics Authority (ITLA).
  • ITLA will serve as the national apex institution for integrated transport and logistics projects. Its functions will include research, project appraisal, policy support, monitoring and data analytics, addressing fragmented planning across transport Ministries and agencies.

2nd India–EFTA Prosperity Summit in New Delhi

• The 2nd India–EFTA Prosperity Summit will bring together senior government officials, EFTA ambassadors and business leaders to strengthen economic cooperation.
• The summit will focus on trade, investment, innovation and long-term partnerships through sectoral discussions, investment opportunities and business networking.

National Conclave on Constitutional Rights and Legal Provisions for Tribal Communities in New Delhi

• What: Union Tribal Affairs Minister Jual Oram inaugurated a two-day National Conclave on Constitutional Rights and Legal Provisions for Tribal Communities in New Delhi to address implementation challenges.
• Tell me more:
  • The conclave is being held from October 6–7 with over 75 delegates from around 30 states and Union Territories.

Jaishankar Begins Three-Nation Africa Tour With Ghana Visit To Deepen Partnerships

• What: External Affairs Minister (EAM) S. Jaishankar embarked on three-nation official visit to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Ethiopia from October 6 to October 10, 2026, beginning with Ghana to deepen Comprehensive Partnership between India and Ghana.
• Tell me more:
  • Jaishankar met Ghanaian President John Dramani Mahama in Accra. He also discussed trade, investment, development assistance, pharmaceuticals, defence, technology and people-to-people ties with Foreign Minister Samuel Okudzeto Ablakwa.
  • India and Ghana exchanged two MoUs.
    • One covers academic research and capacity building between the Zoological Survey of India and University of Ghana.
    • The other covers agricultural research and education between Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and Ghana’s CSIR-Crops Research Institute.
  • Jaishankar will next visit Côte d’Ivoire and Ethiopia for bilateral meetings on trade, economic ties, development cooperation and capacity building. He will also chair the Regional Heads of Mission Conference in Addis Ababa.

State News

Odisha Launches India’s First MICE Incentive Portal

• What: The Odisha government launched India’s first dedicated incentive portal for Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) to attract investment and promote business tourism in the state.
• Tell me more:
  • Deputy Chief Minister Pravati Parida, who holds the tourism portfolio, launched the portal at the Odisha Travel Bazaar 2026.
  • The portal aims to promote Odisha as a corporate convention destination and simplify financial incentive applications for event organisers and tourism operators.
  • Parida highlighted the potential of destination weddings, temple weddings, and experiential tourism, describing Bhubaneswar as the “temple city.”

Kerala Launches AI Centre of Excellence

• What: Kerala’s Minister for Industries, IT, and AI, P.K. Kunhalikutty, launched the MeitY IndiaAI Centre of Excellence in Artificial Intelligence, Thiruvananthapuram (CAIK), to strengthen Kerala’s applied AI ecosystem.
• Tell me more:
  • The centre is established under the IndiaAI Mission of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), with Digital University Kerala as the implementing agency.
  • The launch announced CAIK’s first cohort of 15 AI startups, working across healthcare, climate, legal technology, and industrial applications.
  • The centre at Technopark Phase IV will focus on healthcare, disaster management, climate sustainability and e-governance, providing startups infrastructure, computing facilities, mentorship and research networks.

Nagaland Launches SAY-SOBLOK for Vulnerable Households

• What: Nagaland State Rural Livelihoods Mission (NSRLM) and BRAC International signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to implement SAY-SOBLOK, a three-year programme supporting 4,000 extremely vulnerable households across Nagaland.
• Tell me more:
  • SAY-SOBLOK aligns with Samaveshi Aajeevika Yojana (SAY) under Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) and uses BRAC’s Graduation Approach.
  • The programme will support vulnerable women-led households through livelihood development, financial inclusion, essential services and coaching, promoting sustainable livelihoods, resilience and economic security.
  • NSRLM and BRAC International will adapt the programme to Nagaland’s socio-economic conditions through government systems and community institutions.

International News

28th FAO’s Session of Committee on Forestry Held During World Forest Week

• What: 28th Session of Committee on Forestry (COFO), Food and Agriculture Organization’s (FAO) highest global intergovernmental body on forestry, held from 28 September to 2 October 2026 (World Forest Week) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy.
• Tell me more:
  • COFO brings together 128 Members and meets every two years to identify emerging challenges, promote innovative approaches and provide strategic direction for FAO’s forestry programme.
  • COFO reports to FAO Council on programme and budget matters and to FAO Conference on policy and regulatory issues.
  • Six Regional Forestry Commissions support regional policy dialogue and technical cooperation, while the COFO Working Group on Dryland Forests promotes understanding of dryland ecosystems.
  • World Forest Week 2026 (10th edition) is observed from 28 September to 2 October under the theme “Forests for food, resilience and prosperity”.
  • The State of the World’s Forests 2026 was also released. Findings of the report –
    • Global need: More than 10% of the world’s land is degraded, including around 460 million hectares of forest land.
    • Global commitments: Countries have pledged to restore more than 1 billion hectares, but implementation remains uneven due to gaps in finance, governance, monitoring and technical capacity.
  • India highlighted its forest restoration and sustainable forest management efforts, including the Aravalli Green Wall, MISHTI mangrove restoration and Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign.
• Knowledge Nuggets:
  • India’s forest and tree cover stands at 82.74 million hectares, covering 25.17% of the country’s geographical area.
  • India ranks ninth globally in forest area and third in net annual forest area gain, according to the FAO Global Forest Resources Assessment 2025.
  • India has created a 2.29-billion-tonne carbon sink and targets 3.5–4 billion tonnes by 2035, while aiming to restore 26 million hectares by 2030.

Elon Musk Plans SpaceXSI Rebranding for Super Intelligence

• Elon Musk said his artificial intelligence (AI) company SpaceXAI will change its name to SpaceXSI, following US President Donald Trump’s push to replace “artificial intelligence” with “Super Intelligence” or “SI”.

Banking and Economy

Adani Power and Bhutan Sign 770 MW Hydropower Deal

• What: Adani Power and Bhutan’s state-owned Druk Green Power Corporation (DGPC) signed an agreement to jointly develop the 770 MW Chamkharchhu-I Hydroelectric Project in Bhutan under a broader 5,000 MW hydropower partnership.
• Tell me more:
  • Adani Power and DGPC will develop the project through a 49:51 equity partnership under the Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) model, with a 30-year concession period.
  • The project is located on the Chamkarchhu River in Bhutan’s Zhemgang district and will operate as a peaking run-of-river project.

Bank of Baroda Enters Pension Fund Business

• What: Bank of Baroda received a pension fund sponsor certificate from the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), becoming the second public sector lender to enter the pension fund segment.
• Tell me more:
  • PFRDA aims to add 2–4 crore National Pension System (NPS) subscribers over the next two to three years and cover the entire workforce by 2047.
  • PFRDA is focusing on the non-government workforce, where subscriber growth currently stands at 22–25%, while digital platforms are expanding access.
  • Bank of Baroda has added NPS Tatkal to the BHIM app, enabling customers to open NPS accounts digitally.

GDP Forecasts

World Bank’s South Asia Economic Update October 2026

• What: World Bank raised India’s GDP growth forecast for current fiscal by half a percentage point to 7.1%, with South Asia region’s GDP in 2026 seen expanding by 6.9%, up from previous forecast of 6.3%, according to twice-yearly South Asia Economic Update.
• Tell me more:
  • Real GDP growth at constant market prices (percent):

• World Bank expects industry and services growth to remain strong through reforms, but weak monsoons may reduce farm output and rural demand, while raising food inflation and energy pressures.
• World Bank’s ‘AI Adoption Index’:
  • Demographic slowdown: South Asia’s working-age population growth is projected to fall from 2.2% annually during 1960–2023 to 0.6% over the next 25 years.
  • Rapid ageing: Most South Asian countries will become “aged” economies at lower income levels than other emerging economies, requiring labour-market and ageing policies together.
  • AI adoption in India: Only 23% of Indian firms report using AI, compared with 43% in the US. India scores 0.27, less than one-third of the US score of 0.85.
    • Indian firms have begun catching up with US firms in basic AI adoption over the past two years.
    • Nearly 75% of Indian firms expect little or no productivity benefit from AI.
  • AI can raise labour productivity, expand exports and improve public services, but 15% of firms fear revenue per worker falling up to 10% as AI adoption intensifies competition.

Defence News

Ministry of Defence Signs ₹660 Crore Contract With BrahMos Aerospace For Indian Navy

• Ministry of Defence signed contract worth over ₹660 crore with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited for procurement of BrahMos Fire Control System and Launchers for Indian Navy ships under Buy (Indian-Indigenously Designed, Developed and Manufactured) Category.

DRDO Successfully Tests Indigenous High-Altitude Platform

• What: Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested an indigenous High-Altitude Platform (HAPS), reaching 21 km above mean sea level and maintaining 20 km altitude for over 30 minutes.
• Tell me more:
  • The platform carried an inertial measurement unit, Global Positioning System (GPS) receiver, cameras, altitude-control mechanism and other systems.
  • DRDO’s Aerial Delivery Research and Development Establishment (ADRDE), Agra, is developing HAPS as a long-endurance stratospheric surveillance platform.
  • The trial involved the Indian Air Force, CEMILAC, Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), Airports Authority of India and other authorities.

Science and Technology

TDB Supports Indigenous AI Vision Chip Development

• What: The Technology Development Board (TDB) signed an agreement with BigEndian Semiconductors to provide ₹130 crore for developing an indigenous AI Vision System-on-Chip (SoC) under the Research, Development, and Innovation Fund.
• Tell me more:
  • Project VeerAI has a total cost of ₹260 crore, with government support provided through Optional Convertible Debt (OCD).
  • The project will develop a camera-focused AI Vision System-on-Chip (SoC), raise its Technology Readiness Level (TRL) from 5 to 9, and initially target CCTV and surveillance applications in India and the Global South.
  • The project will involve technology development, testing, validation and scale-up for commercial deployment, while strengthening India’s semiconductor capabilities through domestic Very-Large-Scale Integration (VLSI) design expertise.

Awards

Kumkum Mohod and Sujeet Receive New Sports Awards

• What: The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) named archer Kumkum Anil Mohod and wrestler Sujeet Kalkal as the first recipients of the Jaspal Rana Award and Raja Randhir Singh Award for their performances at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.
• Tell me more:
  • The IOA instituted the awards to honour the best female and male sportspersons at the Games and commemorate two Indian sports stalwarts.
  • Kumkum won three medals, including two gold, and her individual gold secured an Olympic quota place for India at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
  • Sujeet won gold in the men’s 65kg freestyle wrestling after defeating Japan’s reigning Olympic champion Kotaro Kiyooka in the semifinal.

Important Days

World Cerebral Palsy Day 2026 – October 6

• Theme: Unique and united

Sports

Max Verstappen Wins Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia

• Max Verstappen (Dutch) secured his first win of the 2026 season at the Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia, while Kimi Antonelli (Italian) finished second and Lewis Hamilton (British) secured third place.

Memorandum of Understanding

IICT Signs Five MoUs with MPA, C-DIT, ESGF, RioWood and Warm Up Ventures

• What: Indian Institute of Creative Technologies (IICT) signed five MoUs with Motion Picture Association (MPA) India, Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) Kerala, E-Sports Games Federation (ESGF), RioWood and Warm Up Ventures during second day of FICCI FRAMES 2026 at Grand Hyatt, Mumbai.
• Tell me more:

Appointments

Centre Appoints Three New Supreme Court Judges

• What: The Centre appointed three High Court Chief Justices as Supreme Court judges following recommendations by the Supreme Court Collegium, raising the top court’s strength to 37 judges, including the Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• Tell me more:
  • Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya and Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh received the appointments after the Collegium recommended their names.
  • Justice Agarwal, Chief Justice of Gujarat High Court, became the third woman judge of the Supreme Court, joining Justices BV Nagarathna and V. Mohana.
  • Justice Upadhyaya served as Chief Justice of Delhi High Court, while Justice Singh served as Chief Justice of Telangana High Court.
  • The Collegium headed by CJI Surya Kant includes four senior-most judges: Justices Vikram Nath, BV Nagarathna, MM Sundresh and PS Narasimha.

Rajeshwari Kumari Joins OCA Athletes Commission

• What: Former Indian trap shooter Rajeshwari Kumari was unanimously elected to the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) Athletes Commission, becoming the second Indian member after Vice-Chairman Shiva Keshavan.
• Tell me more:
  • Rajeshwari won a silver medal in Women’s Trap at the 2023 Asian Games and represented India at the Paris Olympic Games.
  • Four other athletes, Amir Maimuratov, Reem Al Sharshani, Naoto Tobe and Thanyalak Chophibunsin, were also elected to the Commission.
  • The new members will serve during the 2026–2030 term.

Ashutosh Dixit Appointed New Air Force Chief

• What: The Union Government appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the 29th Chief of Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who will retire on October 31, 2026.
• Tell me more:
  • Dixit currently serves as Vice Chief of the Air Staff and will hold the position until December 31, 2028.
  • Dixit has nearly four decades of service experience and participated in Operation Safed Sagar (Kargil War Operation), Operation Rakshak (J&K Counterinsurgency Operation) and Operation Sindoor (India-Pakistan Military Operation).

Smriti Mandhana Named India Women’s Cricket Captain After Harmanpreet Kaur Steps Down

• What: India named top-order batter Smriti Mandhana as new captain after Women’s World Cup-winning skipper Harmanpreet Kaur announced decision to step down from role.
• Tell me more:
  • Kaur, 37, captained India in five tests, 51 one-day internationals and 155 Twenty20 internationals, leading side to first-ever 50-over World Cup triumph on home soil last year.
  • Under Kaur, India won four T20 Asia Cup titles and two Asian Games gold medals, most recently this month at Aichi-Nagoya Games; Kaur became this year highest-capped player in women’s international cricket.
  • Mandhana, who was Kaur’s vice-captain, has previously captained India in 18 T20Is and four ODIs; 30-year-old has played nine tests, 120 ODIs and 179 T20Is since making international debut in 2013.
  • Mandhana has also captained Royal Challengers Bengaluru to two Women’s Premier League titles.

RBI Appoints Sudhakar Malli As Executive Director With Effect From October 1

• What: Reserve Bank of India (RBI) appointed Sudhakar Malli as Executive Director (ED) with effect from October 1; prior to promotion as ED, Sudhakar served as Chief General Manager-in-Charge of Department of Supervision in Reserve Bank.
• Tell me more:
  • As Executive Director, Sudhakar will look after Department of Supervision (Supervisory Assessment).

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