06 October 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by a record $18.34 billion in a single week to $747.56 billion as the RBI sold dollars to steady the rupee. Forex reserve levels and their four components are regular questions in Banking exams, so note the figures.

News in One Liner – 06 October 2026

PIB News

PM Modi Addresses UPSC Centenary Celebrations at Bharat Mandapam

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the centenary celebrations of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi. He said UPSC’s identity of independence, merit and fairness must always be preserved, and cited ‘Nagrik Devo Bhava’ as the guiding principle of public service. UPSC traces its origin to the Lee Commission (1923), which led to the Public Service Commission of 1926.

HQ Integrated Defence Staff Marks 25 Years of Jointness

Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) celebrated its Silver Jubilee, marking 25 years of promoting jointness among the Army, Navy and Air Force. HQ IDS was set up in October 2001 on the recommendations of the Group of Ministers after the Kargil conflict. It now supports the Chief of Defence Staff in joint planning and theatre command reforms.

5th Kautilya Economic Conclave Held on ‘Resilience in an Age of Flux’

The Ministry of Finance, with the Institute of Economic Growth (IEG), organised the 5th Kautilya Economic Conclave in New Delhi from October 3 to 5, 2026. The theme was ‘Resilience in an Age of Flux’. Sessions covered private capital mobilisation, green energy financing and protecting supply chains from global volatility.

National Voluntary Blood Donation Day 2026 Observed on October 1

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare observed National Voluntary Blood Donation Day on October 1, 2026, with the theme ‘One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.’ Dr. M. Srinivas, Member (Health), NITI Aayog, presided over the main event and called for 100% voluntary blood donation. The day has been observed in India since 1975.

People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27 ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’ Launched

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched the People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27 under the banner ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’ from October 2, 2026. Special Gram Sabhas will prepare Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDP) for FY 2027-28 based on 9 localised SDG themes. Article 243G empowers Panchayats to prepare such plans.

Narendra Bhooshan Takes Charge as Environment Ministry Secretary

IAS officer Narendra Bhooshan assumed charge as Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). He holds an engineering background in Electronics and a Master’s in International Development Policy from Duke University, USA. His expertise covers public finance, infrastructure and climate preparedness.

ICAR and FCI Sign MoU for Safe and Sustainable Foodgrain Storage

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Food Corporation of India (FCI) signed an MoU for eco-friendly foodgrain storage. The partnership introduces combined carbon dioxide and phosphine fumigation to control pests in bagged wheat and rice in FCI and CWC warehouses. It aims to cut chemical pesticide use and reduce post-harvest losses.

Rajnath Singh Launches PRISM at Defence Accounts Department’s 279th Annual Day

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh launched digital financial reforms at the 279th Annual Day of the Defence Accounts Department (DAD) in New Delhi. The PRISM (Payment Routing and Integrated System Management) platform operationalises the Treasury Single Account system in the Ministry of Defence. PRISM is integrated with RBI’s eKUBER core banking platform for real-time fund visibility.

Tripartite Pact Signed for Amended BharatNet Program in Maharashtra

Digital Bharat Nidhi (DBN) under the Department of Telecommunications signed an agreement with the Government of Maharashtra, BSNL and MahaIT to implement the Amended BharatNet Program in the state. The project will provide high-speed optical fibre connectivity to Gram Panchayats. DBN replaced the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

President Murmu Greets Nation on 157th Gandhi Jayanti

President Droupadi Murmu greeted the nation on the eve of Mahatma Gandhi’s 157th birth anniversary on October 2. She said Gandhian ideals of truth and non-violence remain relevant amid global conflicts, and linked the vision of Viksit Bharat @2047 to the spirit of Sarvodaya. October 2 is also observed as the UN International Day of Non-Violence.

Industry News

National PNG Drive 3.0 Targets 50 Lakh New Connections

PNGRB and the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas launched National PNG Drive 3.0, targeting 50 lakh new domestic Piped Natural Gas connections and activation of 40 lakh closed connections. The MyPNG Portal was launched as a unified consumer platform. India aims to raise the share of natural gas in its energy mix to 15% by 2030.

Financial News

RBI Simplifies Approval for Major Shareholding by MFs and Pension Funds

The RBI issued Amendment Directions simplifying approval for subsequent acquisitions of major shareholding in banks by mutual funds, insurance companies and pension funds. Investors that already hold RBI approval can raise stakes through a faster route up to prescribed caps. ‘Fit and proper’ checks under Section 12B of the Banking Regulation Act, 1949 still apply.

India’s Forex Reserves Fall by Record $18.34 Billion in a Week

India’s foreign exchange reserves fell by a record $18.34 billion in a single week to $747.56 billion for the week ended September 25, 2026. Foreign Currency Assets dropped to $615.41 billion and gold reserves to $108.70 billion. The fall reflects RBI dollar sales to curb rupee volatility; reserves had peaked at $785.7 billion in early September.

Bank of Baroda Gets PFRDA Nod as Pension Fund Sponsor

Bank of Baroda received its registration certificate as a pension fund sponsor from PFRDA during NPS Diwas 2026, becoming the second public sector bank in pension fund management. PFRDA aims to add 2 to 4 crore new NPS subscribers over the next 2-3 years. NPS currently has 2.33 crore subscribers and AUM of Rs 17.49 lakh crore.

National & State News

Tamil Nadu Launches ‘Vettri Payanam’ Free Bus Travel Scheme for Women

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C. Joseph Vijay launched the expanded free bus travel scheme ‘Vettri Payanam’ on October 2, 2026 at the Koyambedu bus terminus in Chennai. It extends the earlier Magalir Vidiyal Payanam scheme to express, deluxe and some long-distance buses. About 84.32 lakh women and transgender commuters are expected to benefit daily, with no income or trip limits.

28 Strategic Sites in Ladakh Marked on Survey of India Map

The Centre, in consultation with the Ladakh UT administration, standardised and marked 28 strategic locations and features in Ladakh on the official Survey of India map. They include LAC friction points Gogra and Hot Spring, Kanishka Peak, Zorawar Peak and Parpik Glacier. The move removes dual-naming ambiguity in official records.

Amit Shah Chairs Meeting to Resolve Mahanadi Water Dispute

Union Home Minister Amit Shah chaired a meeting with Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi and Chhattisgarh CM Vishnu Deo Sai on the Mahanadi water-sharing dispute. Both states agreed to accept a technical decision by the Central Water Commission (CWC). The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in March 2018.

National Biodiversity Authority Marks 23rd Foundation Day

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) observed its 23rd Foundation Day on October 1, 2026. Its cumulative Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) releases have crossed Rs 278 crore, with over Rs 200 crore going to local communities, farmers and State Biodiversity Boards. NBA was set up in 2003 under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 and is headquartered in Chennai.

NCERT Adds Income Tax and New Tax Regime to Class 9 Syllabus

NCERT introduced personal income tax concepts into the Class 9 social science curriculum for the first time. The chapter focuses only on the New Tax Regime, with slab tables and step-by-step tax calculation. It also covers basic financial literacy such as fixed deposits, bonds, stocks and mutual funds.

Science & Technology

CSIR-CCMB Develops ISS1 and ISS2 to Predict Sickle Cell Severity

Scientists at CSIR-CCMB, Hyderabad developed India-specific scoring systems ISS1 and ISS2 to predict disease severity in Sickle Cell Anaemia patients. International scores match Indian patient profiles in only about 67% of cases, while the new tools achieve 83-85% accuracy. ISS2 helps doctors decide hydroxyurea dosage without costly lab tests.

ISRO Begins Space Situational Awareness Facility Near Guwahati

ISRO, through ISTRAC, began building an advanced tracking and Space Situational Awareness facility at Chandrapur near Guwahati, Assam. It is part of Project NETRA, which tracks space debris to protect Indian satellites. The radars will also support weather nowcasting for thunderstorms, lightning and urban flooding.

Vande Bharat Crosses Chenab and Anji Bridges at 100 km/h

Northern Railway raised the maximum speed on the 111-km Katra-Banihal section from 75 km/h to 100 km/h. The Jammu-Srinagar Vande Bharat Express crossed the Chenab Bridge, the world’s highest rail bridge, and Anji Khad Bridge, India’s first cable-stayed rail bridge, at 100 km/h. The section is part of the USBRL project.

Sports News

Nitesh Siwach Wins Historic Greco-Roman Silver at Asian Games

Nitesh Siwach won silver in the men’s Greco-Roman 97kg wrestling, becoming the first Indian Greco-Roman wrestler to reach an Asian Games final in 64 years. India won 6 medals on Day 12, including a Greco-Roman 87kg bronze by Sunil Kumar and a sailing bronze by Nethra Kumanan. The 2026 Asian Games are being held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.

India Wins Six Golds in a Day to Enter Asian Games Top Five

India won six gold medals in a single day at the 2026 Asian Games, taking its tally to 16 golds and 5th place on the medal table. The women’s hockey team beat China 1-0, and boxers Lovlina Borgohain, Parveen Hooda and Ankush Panghal won gold. Sujeet Kalkal won 65kg freestyle wrestling gold and the women’s compound archery team retained its title.

Defence News

BrahMos Exports Projected to Cross $600 Million

India’s BrahMos supersonic cruise missile exports are projected to cross $600 million on demand from Southeast Asia. The Philippines became the first foreign customer in January 2022 with a $330 million deal, with Indonesia and Vietnam as further markets. India’s defence exports reached a record Rs 38,424 crore in FY 2025-26.