05 October 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: The RBI has approved Anup Bagchi as MD & CEO of HDFC Bank and Anup Kumar Saha as MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank, both for three-year terms. Bank leadership changes like these, along with Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act that governs them, are regular questions in Banking exams.

News in One Liner – 03, 04 & 05 October 2026

PIB News

Ministry of Power Notifies New CAFE Norms to Boost Vehicle Fuel Efficiency

The Ministry of Power notified new Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) norms targeting an improvement of over 16% in automobile fuel efficiency over five years. The norms push automakers to produce more electric, hybrid and alternative-fuel vehicles. Low-volume manufacturers producing under 1,000 units a year are exempt from the fleet-average targets.

MoSPI Releases Annual Survey of Industries 2024-25 Results

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation released the Annual Survey of Industries (ASI) 2024-25 results. Gross Value Added grew by 9.59%, industrial output by 7.81% and fixed capital by 10.54%. Registered units added over 14 lakh workers, taking organised manufacturing employment past 2 crore.

Draft Petroleum (Amendment) Bill 2026 Released for Public Comments

The Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas released the draft Petroleum (Amendment) Bill, 2026 for public and stakeholder consultation. The bill aims to decriminalise minor procedural offences and move to a rationalised civil penalty structure to improve ease of doing business. Comments are invited until October 30, 2026.

Guidelines for National Coastal Mission 2.0 Launched with Rs 767 Crore Outlay

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav launched the implementation guidelines for National Coastal Mission 2.0, a Rs 767 crore Central Sector Scheme running until 2030-31. It covers 9 coastal States and 4 coastal Union Territories. The mission focuses on coastal ecosystem resilience, erosion control, mangrove restoration and sustainable livelihoods under the Blue Economy vision.

Rs 1,600 Crore Approved for 41 Pharma-MedTech Projects Under PRIP Scheme

The Department of Pharmaceuticals approved Rs 1,600 crore under the first call of the PRIP (Promotion of Research and Innovation in Pharma-MedTech) scheme for 41 R&D projects. With private investment of Rs 3,020 crore, total R&D commitment reaches Rs 4,620 crore. Startups and MSMEs lead 19 projects, covering new medicines, biosimilars and novel medical devices.

RIS Report Values Ayush Economy at USD 36.92 Billion

A study by the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RIS), released by the Ministry of Ayush, valued India’s Ayush economy at USD 36.92 billion. Ayush services grew at a CAGR of 16.91% and support about 1.76 million livelihoods. Medical Value Travel in Ayush generated USD 1.77 billion in revenue.

Rs 5,547.99 Crore Approved for MSP Procurement of Kharif Pulses and Oilseeds

Union Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan approved Rs 5,547.99 crore for MSP procurement of Kharif pulses and oilseeds under the Price Support Scheme (PSS). The procurement covers Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka and Telangana. NAFED and NCCF will carry out purchases so farmers get at least the Minimum Support Price.

First Auction of Offshore Mineral Blocks in Andaman Sea to Be Launched

The Ministry of Mines announced the launch of the auction process for offshore mineral blocks in the Andaman Sea. This is India’s first operational step in auctioning offshore mineral rights under the amended Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act. The blocks hold poly-metallic nodules and critical minerals important for clean energy and high-tech manufacturing.

Delhi Records Lowest September Average AQI in Five Years as CAQM Reviews Winter Plan

Delhi recorded its lowest September average Air Quality Index in five years. The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reviewed preparedness across NCR states for winter pollution. Measures focus on stubble burning, construction dust, vehicular emissions and enforcement of the revised Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

Industry News

RoDTEP and RoSCTL Export Schemes Extended Till December 31, 2026

The government extended the RoDTEP and RoSCTL export tax remission schemes until December 31, 2026, keeping existing rates and value caps unchanged. The DGFT notification covers exports from DTA units, Advance Authorisation holders, SEZ units and EOUs. Exporters, including the Apparel Export Promotion Council, welcomed the cost certainty.

Gross GST Collections Rise 14.7% to Rs 2.04 Trillion in September

India’s gross GST collections rose 14.7% year-on-year to Rs 2.04 trillion in September 2026, up from Rs 1.77 trillion a year earlier. Import-linked GST surged nearly 26% and was the main growth driver. Refunds fell 3% to Rs 27,001 crore.

HSBC India Manufacturing PMI Hits Seven-Month High of 55.1

The HSBC India Manufacturing PMI, compiled by S&P Global, rose 2.3 points to a seven-month high of 55.1 in September from 52.8 in August. Output and new orders grew at their fastest pace since early in the year on strong domestic and export demand. Hiring rose at the quickest rate since May.

Finance Ministry Projects 7.3% Real GDP Growth for Q2

The Finance Ministry’s Monthly Economic Review projected India’s Q2 real GDP growth at 7.3%, after 7.8% growth in Q1. A good monsoon supported Kharif sowing and rural demand. The review warned that weaponised supply chains, high global interest rates and crude price volatility remain key risks.

Financial News

RBI Releases India’s External Debt Data for End-June 2026

The Reserve Bank of India released quarterly data showing India’s external debt at USD 682.3 billion at end-June 2026, with low vulnerability indicators. The ratio of short-term debt to foreign exchange reserves stood at 23.0%. US dollar-denominated debt remained the largest component.

Small Savings Interest Rates Kept Unchanged for October-December 2026

The Ministry of Finance retained interest rates on all small savings schemes for Q3 FY27 (October-December 2026). PPF stays at 7.1%, while Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana and the Senior Citizen Savings Scheme stay at 8.2%. NSC earns 7.7% and Kisan Vikas Patra 7.5% with a 115-month maturity.

National & State News

Tamil Nadu’s First Booth-Less Toll System Starts at Paranur Toll Plaza

NHAI operationalised Tamil Nadu’s first booth-less Multi-Lane Free Flow (MLFF) tolling system at the Paranur toll plaza on the Chennai-Tiruchi National Highway. Overhead gantries with RFID readers, radar and ANPR cameras replace manned toll booths. FASTag vehicles pass without stopping, while challans are generated automatically for non-compliant vehicles.

Bihar Cabinet Approves Green Hydrogen Policy 2026

The Bihar Cabinet approved the draft Bihar Green Hydrogen Policy, 2026, targeting 1 lakh tonnes of annual green hydrogen production by 2031. The policy plans 1 GW of electrolyser manufacturing and about 2.5 GW of dedicated renewable energy capacity. BREDA is the nodal agency, and the policy is expected to attract Rs 16,000 crore in investment and create 12,000 jobs.

World News

India Hosts 9th Deputy NSA-Level Meeting of Colombo Security Conclave

India virtually hosted the 9th Deputy NSA-level meeting of the Colombo Security Conclave (CSC), led by Deputy NSA (Strategic Affairs) Pavan Kapoor. Member states Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Mauritius, Seychelles and Sri Lanka reviewed the 2025-26 Roadmap. They reaffirmed cooperation across the CSC’s five pillars, including maritime security, counter-terrorism and cyber security.

Appointments and Resignation

Anup Bagchi Appointed MD & CEO of HDFC Bank

The RBI approved the appointment of Anup Bagchi as MD and CEO of HDFC Bank for three years from October 27, 2026. Bagchi, currently MD and CEO of ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, succeeds Sashidhar Jagdishan. The approval was granted under Section 35B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949.

Anup Kumar Saha Appointed MD & CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank

The RBI approved the appointment of Anup Kumar Saha as MD and CEO of Kotak Mahindra Bank for a three-year term. He succeeds Ashok Vaswani. Saha, an alumnus of IIT Kharagpur and IIM Lucknow, has led retail lending and digital transformation roles.

Science & Technology

India Crosses 1,000 km in Quantum-Secure Communication

Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh announced that India has crossed 1,000 km of quantum-secure communication links. Built under the National Quantum Mission using indigenous Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), the network is among the longest deployed globally. It offers encryption resistant to future quantum attacks for defence, banking and critical infrastructure.

Sports News

India’s Asian Games Medal Tally Reaches 60 with Archery and Shooting Golds

India’s medal tally at the Asian Games reached 60 (10 gold, 21 silver and 29 bronze). Indian compound archers swept the gold medals in the men’s, women’s and mixed team events. Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai won the mixed team trap gold with a new Asian and Games record.

Shubman Gill Hits Fastest Double Century in Men’s ODI History

India captain Shubman Gill scored the fastest double century in men’s ODI history, reaching 200 off 117 balls against West Indies in Guwahati. He finished on 223* off 133 balls as India chased 406 in 43.3 overs. Gill joined Rohit Sharma as the only batters with multiple ODI double centuries.

Important Days

International Day of Older Persons Observed on October 1

The International Day of Older Persons was observed on October 1, 2026, focusing on the rights, healthcare and social protection of senior citizens. The UN highlighted universal pension coverage, digital literacy and prevention of elder abuse. The day was established by UN General Assembly Resolution 45/106 in 1990.

Ranking and Reports

India Ranks 38th in Global Innovation Index 2026

India ranked 38th out of 139 economies in WIPO’s Global Innovation Index 2026 and remained the top-ranked economy in South Asia. India has been an innovation overperformer for 16 consecutive years, sharing the longest streak with Vietnam. Switzerland retained the top position globally.

Person in the News

Vaibhav Sooryavanshi Named in TIME100 Next 2026 List

15-year-old Bihar cricketer Vaibhav Sooryavanshi was named in TIME magazine’s TIME100 Next 2026 list in the ‘Phenom’ category. He is the youngest honoree and the only Indian athlete on the list. He made his Ranji Trophy debut at 12 and set an IPL record of 72 sixes in a season for Rajasthan Royals.