15 October 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: India’s retail inflation rose to 5.54 per cent in September 2026 from 4.83 per cent in August, with food inflation at 7.74 per cent. The IMF also raised India’s FY27 growth forecast to 7 per cent. Inflation data and growth forecasts are common exam topics for Banking and SSC aspirants.

News in One Liner – 15 October 2026

PIB News

Retail Inflation Rises to 5.54% in September 2026

MoSPI said India’s retail inflation based on the Consumer Price Index rose to 5.54 per cent in September 2026, up from 4.83 per cent in August. Rural inflation was 6.08 per cent and urban inflation was 4.88 per cent. Food price inflation rose sharply, led by vegetables and perishables.

India-UK JETCO Holds 16th Meeting, Reviews CETA Gains

Piyush Goyal and UK Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds co-chaired the 16th India-UK Joint Economic and Trade Committee meeting in New Delhi. They reviewed early gains under the India-UK CETA, including smartphones, Assam Joha rice, Scottish salmon and Scotch whisky. The next meeting will be held in the United Kingdom in 2027.

IMD Dedicates New Cyclone Warning Decision Support System

The India Meteorological Department dedicated an interactive WebGIS-based Cyclone Warning and Marine Weather Services Decision Support System to the nation. It was launched during the Pre-Cyclone Exercise Meeting for the post-monsoon season. The platform brings tracks, intensity, storm surge and rainfall forecasts into one interface.

Armed Forces Athletes Win Record 27 Medals at Asian Games

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh felicitated 92 Army, Navy and Air Force athletes who won 27 medals at the Asian Games. The haul included 6 gold, 11 silver and 10 bronze, about 32 per cent of India’s total tally. He also urged athletes to start preparing for the Los Angeles Olympics 2028.

Indian Army Launches ‘Bharat Rice’ Supply for Troops

The Indian Army began supplying ‘Bharat Rice’ to troops through its Army Supply Depots. The event was held in the presence of Rajnath Singh and Pralhad Joshi. The rice will also reach forward posts in Ladakh and the Northeast.

India Hosts First BIMSTEC Home Ministers Meeting

India hosted the first-ever BIMSTEC Home Ministers Meeting in New Delhi. Union Home Minister Amit Shah welcomed delegates from the member states. Talks focused on counter-terrorism, transnational crime, maritime security and intelligence sharing.

NHRC Marks 33rd Foundation Day with Right to Water Focus

The National Human Rights Commission marked its 33rd Foundation Day in New Delhi with a national conference on the right to water. Chief Justice of India Surya Kant was the chief guest. The theme was ‘Water as the Elixir of Life: Advancing Human Dignity through the Right to Water’.

Bhupender Yadav Inaugurates New International Big Cat Alliance HQ

Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav inaugurated the new headquarters of the International Big Cat Alliance at 55 Lodhi Estate, New Delhi. The alliance works to protect seven big cat species through habitat restoration and anti-poaching efforts. It also takes part in global fora such as CITES and UNFCCC meetings.

Nadda Lays Foundation Stone of ICMR High Altitude Medicine Centre

Health Minister J. P. Nadda laid the foundation stone of the ICMR Centre for High Altitude Medicine and Public Health Research at Keylong in Himachal Pradesh. It will study how the body adapts to extreme cold and low oxygen. The centre will use drone-based medicine delivery, telemedicine and AI diagnostics.

INS Tarkash Arrives in South Africa for IBSAMAR IX

Indian Naval Ship Tarkash arrived in South Africa to take part in IBSAMAR IX, the ninth edition of the India-Brazil-South Africa naval exercise. The stealth frigate carries an integral Chetak helicopter. The drills include anti-submarine, anti-air and boarding operations.

Industry News

IMF Raises India’s FY27 Growth Forecast to 7%

In its latest World Economic Outlook, the IMF raised India’s GDP growth forecast to 7 per cent for both FY27 and FY28. It credited strong domestic demand, investment and public capital spending. The IMF projected global growth at 3.1 per cent.

RDI Fund Commits Rs 7,131 Crore to 19 Fund Managers

The Rising Digital Innovation (RDI) Fund selected its first 19 second-level fund managers. It committed a total of Rs 7,131 crore to back indigenous technology startups. The money targets AI, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing and digital public infrastructure.

Financial News

Equity Mutual Fund Inflows Jump 31% to Rs 38,306 Crore

AMFI data showed net inflows into equity mutual funds rose 31 per cent to Rs 38,306 crore in September, from Rs 29,329 crore in August. SIP contributions hit a record Rs 32,490 crore. Gold ETF inflows jumped 71.4 per cent to Rs 4,451 crore.

Rupee Jumps 96 Paise to Close at 95.75 Per Dollar

The Indian rupee gained 96 paise to close at 95.75 against the US dollar. Analysts linked the recovery to recent RBI measures to curb volatility. Importers and overall currency stability were the main beneficiaries.

Inoperative PMJDY Accounts Rise in Private Banks

Data showed a rise in inoperative Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana accounts at private banks. HDFC Bank and Kotak Mahindra Bank reported notable shares of dormant zero-balance accounts. Analysts blamed KYC re-verification and low transaction activity.

SEBI Proposes Monitoring of IPO Proceeds, Demat Freezes

SEBI proposed mandatory monitoring agencies for all IPOs to track how proceeds are used. Companies that do not cooperate face a Rs 50,000 fine per instance. Persistent non-cooperation could lead to freezing of promoters’ demat accounts, and comments are due by November 3, 2026.

RBI Governor Says Rupee May Be Undervalued

RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra said the rupee is not overvalued and may in fact be undervalued. He said the RBI does not target a fixed exchange rate but will act to prevent disorderly moves. The RBI has used spot and forward dollar sales to ease depreciation pressure.

National & State News

Lakshadweep Becomes 100% Literate Under ULLAS

Lakshadweep achieved 100 per cent functional literacy under the centrally sponsored ULLAS scheme. Adult learners cleared the Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Assessment Test (FLNAT). The administration ran adult education and digital literacy drives across all inhabited islands.

Appointments and Resignation

President Appoints New Governors for Six States

President Droupadi Murmu appointed new Governors for six states. Rajendra Vishwanath Arlekar was moved to Tamil Nadu and Om Prakash Mathur to Keralam. Other appointments were made for Odisha, Karnataka, Uttarakhand and Sikkim.

L. Murugan Resigns as MoS and Rajya Sabha MP

Dr. L. Murugan resigned as Minister of State for Information and Broadcasting and from the Rajya Sabha. He wants to work full-time at the grassroots for his party in Tamil Nadu. In his letter to the Prime Minister he cited the line ‘Nation First. Party Next. Self Last.’

Science & Technology

Indo-French TRISHNA Satellite Enters Advanced Realisation

ISRO officials said the Indo-French TRISHNA satellite has entered an advanced stage of realisation and will launch in 12 to 16 months. It carries a thermal infra-red payload from France’s CNES and a VNIR-SWIR payload from ISRO. It is the third India-France satellite project after Megha-Tropiques and SARAL.

Sports News

Zverev Clinches Year-End World Number One Ranking

Alexander Zverev secured the year-end ATP world number one ranking for 2026 for the first time. He won the French Open and US Open this season and reached the Wimbledon final. His top spot was confirmed after Carlos Alcaraz’s early Shanghai exit and Jannik Sinner’s knee injury.

Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma Win ICC Player of the Month

Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma were named ICC Men’s and Women’s Players of the Month for September 2026. Gill won his record fifth Men’s award after back-to-back centuries against West Indies. Shafali scored 360 runs at an average of 72 in T20Is.

Important Days

International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction 2026 Observed

The UN observed the International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction on October 13, 2026. The theme was ‘Resilience Starts at Home’. It highlights hazard-resilient housing, safe livelihoods and family disaster plans.

Awards & Honors

Robert Hall and Michael Woodford Win 2026 Economics Nobel

The 2026 Nobel Memorial Prize in Economic Sciences was awarded to American macroeconomists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford. The Nobel Committee honoured their models that improved fiscal and monetary stabilisation policy. Their work shows how timely action can soften business cycle swings.

Sunil Bharti Mittal Receives France’s Legion d’Honneur

Bharti Enterprises founder Sunil Bharti Mittal was conferred France’s highest civilian honour, the Legion d’Honneur, by President Emmanuel Macron. The award recognises his role in strengthening India-France economic ties. He is also co-chairman of European satellite company Eutelsat.

Dr. Ramdas Pai Gets FICCI Legendary Institution Builder Award

Dr. Ramdas M. Pai, Chancellor of Manipal Academy of Higher Education, received the FICCI Legendary Institution Builder Award 2026. It was presented at the 12th Higher Education Excellence Awards in New Delhi. Under him, Manipal expanded to Nepal, Malaysia, the UAE and Antigua.

Ranking and Reports

CEA Releases White Paper on AI and India’s Workforce

Chief Economic Advisor V. Anantha Nageswaran released a white paper on artificial intelligence, automation and India’s workforce. It found 46.3 million Indian workers in AI-complementary roles. Workers aged 25 to 34 face the highest AI exposure at 29 per cent.

World Bank Sees India’s Poverty Falling to 12.1% by 2028

The World Bank projects India’s poverty rate at the 4.20 US dollars a day line will fall from 14.2 per cent in 2026 to 12.1 per cent by 2028. It credits strong GDP growth, job creation, digital public infrastructure and welfare transfers. It urged more investment in rural infrastructure and agriculture.

ISB and IIM Bangalore Climb in FT Executive MBA Rankings

In the Financial Times Executive MBA Rankings 2026, ISB climbed 15 places to 38th globally and IIM Bangalore rose eight places to 64th. The joint Kellogg-HKUST Executive MBA took the top spot. ISB’s alumni salary averaged 420,715 US dollars.