21 October 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has come into force, giving Indian exports such as pharmaceuticals, textiles and marine products zero-duty access from day one. FSSAI also proposed a ban on added sucrose and fructose in foods for infants up to six months. Trade pacts and food safety rules like these are regular exam topics for Banking and SSC aspirants.

News in One Liner – 21 October 2026

PIB News

India’s Space Economy to Reach $40-45 Billion in 7-8 Years

Union Minister of State Dr. Jitendra Singh said India’s space economy is projected to grow from $9 billion to $40-45 billion over the next seven to eight years. He spoke at a media roundtable organised by the Bloomberg New Economy Forum in New Delhi. He said opening the space sector to private firms has driven indigenous innovation, and that anchor demand from government agencies, faster clearances and supply-chain integration are needed to scale private space companies.

Rajnath Singh to Lead India at SCO Heads of Government Meeting

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead India’s delegation to the 25th meeting of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO) Council of Heads of Government in Dushanbe, Tajikistan. The meeting will focus on trade, investment, digital public infrastructure innovation and cultural exchanges among member states. The council will also review regional cooperation initiatives and take administrative, financial and institutional decisions for the organisation.

PM Modi Wishes Indian Contingent at Asian Para Games 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi extended his best wishes to India’s contingent as the Asian Para Games 2026 began in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. He praised the para-athletes’ grit and dedication and said their achievements inspire 140 crore citizens. He urged them to compete with confidence and bring glory to the nation.

INS Sudarshini Leaves Salalah on Lokayan-2026 Voyage

INS Sudarshini, the Indian Navy’s three-masted sail training ship, departed Salalah, Oman, after a port call from 14 to 17 October 2026. Trainees took part in professional exchanges, cross-deck training and sports fixtures with the Royal Navy of Oman. The voyage, Lokayan-2026, is in its tenth month and reflects the MAHASAGAR vision.

NCRTC Marks Namo Bharat Diwas with Three Years of Operations

The National Capital Region Transport Corporation (NCRTC) celebrated Namo Bharat Diwas 2026 in New Delhi to mark three years of rapid rail operations that began in October 2023. Union Minister Manohar Lal said the 82-km Delhi-Ghaziabad-Meerut corridor, dedicated fully by PM Modi in February 2026, has recorded over 4.5 crore passenger journeys. NCRTC is also developing a 110 MW captive solar power plant.

MY Bharat and NSS Launch Month Two of Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan

MY Bharat and the National Service Scheme (NSS) launched month two of the Nasha Mukt Yuva Abhiyan under the 100 Week Sankalp Abhiyan. The launch featured Yoga Aatm-Suraksha Diwas, with 91,179 participants across 183 locations. Women made up 57.1 per cent of the participants.

FSSAI Proposes Ban on Added Sugars in Foods for Infants Up to Six Months

FSSAI issued a draft amendment to the Foods for Infant Nutrition Regulations, 2020, proposing that sucrose and fructose not be added to commercial foods for infants up to six months. Lactose and glucose polymers remain permissible carbohydrate sources. The move aims to protect infants from added sugars linked to childhood obesity and dental caries and supports exclusive breastfeeding.

NBA Disburses ₹1.19 Crore to State Biodiversity Boards

The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) disbursed ₹1.19 crore to 29 State Biodiversity Boards and one UT Biodiversity Council under the Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS) mechanism. The funds come from agricultural seed and biotech firms for commercial use of hybrid maize, rice, pearl millet and cotton. Under Section 32 of the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, the money must be used for biodiversity conservation and community livelihoods.

Project Seabird Phase IIA Assets Inaugurated at Karwar

Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command, inaugurated infrastructure under Project Seabird Phase IIA at Karwar Naval Base, Karnataka. The assets include five residential towers with 300 dwelling units, expansion of the INHS Patanjali hospital to 409 beds, a solid waste facility and a four-lane bridge entry gate. Over 90 per cent of materials were sourced domestically, and the project targets an IGBC Gold rating.

Industry News

India’s Russian Crude Imports Set to Continue After US Waiver

Analysts said India’s purchases of discounted Russian crude are set to continue after the US issued a fresh sanctions waiver. Indian refiners imported about 1.82 million barrels per day in September, and October volumes are projected at 1.8 to 1.9 million barrels per day. The waiver follows a US Treasury decision allowing global diesel trade involving Russian feedstock until 7 April 2027.

India-New Zealand FTA Comes into Force

The India-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement has come into force, giving Indian exports zero-duty access from day one. Sectors covered include pharmaceuticals, marine products, textiles, chemicals, leather goods, and gems and jewellery, with tariff cuts on engineering goods and some farm products. The pact also carries investment commitments and supports India’s export diversification.

₹25,000 Crore Samarth 2.0 Skilling Push for Textiles

The Ministry of Textiles has planned a ₹25,000 crore outlay for Samarth 2.0, the upgraded Scheme for Capacity Building in the Textile Sector. It will train workers across spinning, weaving, garmenting, technical textiles and handloom processing to meet modern automation standards. The aim is to help Indian apparel exporters win shifting global supply-chain orders.

India’s Exports to West Asia Recover; Africa and ASEAN Surge

Commerce Ministry data showed India’s merchandise exports to West Asia recovered from conflict-related disruption during April-August 2026-27. Exports to Africa surged 47 per cent to $26.19 billion in the period, while ASEAN also saw strong growth. Light-duty and medium-duty truck shipments rose 71 per cent and 67 per cent respectively.

OMCs Drop Sugarcane Feedstocks from FY27 Ethanol Tender

Oil marketing companies led by BPCL invited tenders for 11 billion litres of ethanol for the November 2026-October 2027 supply year, excluding sugarcane juice, sugar syrup and B-heavy molasses. Suppliers can use maize, broken rice, FCI surplus rice and C-heavy molasses. OMCs also cut the procurement incentive on maize-based ethanol.

NHAI to Open Phase Two of Public InvIT in December

NHAI and two other central PSUs are preparing to launch Phase Two of their public Infrastructure Investment Trust (InvIT) in December 2026. The issue will monetise completed, toll-yielding highway stretches and offer yield-bearing units to retail and institutional investors. Proceeds will be recycled into NHAI’s capital pool for ongoing projects and greenfield expressway corridors.

Financial News

Banks Weigh Impact of IRDAI’s Proposed Commission Caps

Indian banks are weighing steps such as changing product mixes to offset a fall in bancassurance fee income after IRDAI proposed caps on insurance commissions. Lenders like RBL Bank estimate fee income could drop 50 to 60 per cent. Banks may raise policy volumes, focus on protection-heavy plans and restructure distribution deals with insurers.

ED Raids 29 Premises in Six Cities After SEBI Pump-and-Dump Crackdown

The Enforcement Directorate (ED) searched 29 premises in six cities in a money-laundering probe after SEBI flagged pump-and-dump networks. These networks used social media, merchant bankers and shell entities to inflate micro-cap and SME stock prices before selling to retail investors. ED seized digital records, financial documents and unaccounted cash under the PMLA.

National & State News

Centre Tells SC Airfare Rules Will Be Notified Within Two Weeks

The Centre told the Supreme Court that rules to regulate volatile airfares will be published within two weeks. The rules are framed under the Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024 and will let authorities monitor predatory pricing and festive-season fare surges. The case arises from public interest litigations on last-minute fare spikes.

Nilekani Task Force Studies Question Vault to Stop Exam Leaks

The six-member High-Powered Task Force on examination reforms, chaired by Nandan Nilekani, examined a digital ‘question vault’ holding over one lakh vetted questions. Papers would be compiled by software just before exams and sent encrypted to computer-based testing centres. The panel also stressed ‘debundling’ roles such as question creation, translation and centre management to prevent leaks.

FSSAI Issues Notices to Nestlé India and HUL Over Misleading Claims

FSSAI issued notices to Nestlé India and Hindustan Unilever (HUL) over misleading claims and non-compliant labels after packaged food audits. It flagged claims on HUL’s Horlicks Women’s Plus as misleading, including ‘Clinically Proven to Help Improve Bone Strength in 6 Months’ and ‘Healthy Muscles’. Nestlé’s Resource Renal Vanilla Flavour Powder was cited for being marketed as a medical dietary supplement without prior approval and lacking veg or non-veg symbols.

World News

PM Modi to Visit Canada on 11-12 December

Canadian PM Mark Carney confirmed that PM Narendra Modi will visit Canada on 11 and 12 December, with meetings in Toronto and Ottawa. The visit follows talks in New Delhi between External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand. Both sides aim to speed up CEPA negotiations and deepen cooperation in energy, critical minerals and technology.

Jaishankar Holds Talks with US Secretary of State Rubio in Mumbai

External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar held bilateral talks with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at the Taj Mahal Palace Hotel in Mumbai during Rubio’s six-day India visit. They discussed the Comprehensive Global Strategic Partnership, clean energy, critical technology, defence supplies and trade. Jaishankar was also Guest of Honour at celebrations marking the 250th anniversary of US Independence.

Maldives Thanks India for Rolling Over ₹30 Billion Currency Swap

The Maldives thanked India for rolling over the first ₹30 billion withdrawal under the Indian Rupee currency swap facility. The rollover provides foreign exchange liquidity to the Maldivian Monetary Authority and eases balance of payments pressure. It was provided under the SAARC Currency Swap Framework.

Appointments and Resignation

Ramesh Powar Joins BCCI Senior Men’s Selection Committee

The BCCI appointed former India spinner Ramesh Powar to the senior men’s selection committee on the recommendation of the Cricket Advisory Committee. He fills the vacancy after Ajit Agarkar’s tenure as chief selector ended in early October 2026. Former left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha chairs the five-member panel, which also includes Shiv Sundar Das, Ajay Ratra and R. P. Singh.

Sudhakar Dalela Named India’s Ambassador to Nepal

The Ministry of External Affairs appointed senior Indian Foreign Service officer Sudhakar Dalela as India’s next Ambassador to Nepal. The posting aims to deepen diplomatic, economic and developmental cooperation, including hydroelectric projects and cross-border connectivity. It supports India’s Neighbourhood First policy.

Abhay Kumar Presents Credentials to Azerbaijan President

India’s newly appointed Ambassador to Azerbaijan, Abhay Kumar, presented his credentials to President Ilham Aliyev at the presidential palace in Baku. They reviewed historical and cultural ties and explored cooperation in energy, pharmaceuticals and digital trade. The meeting builds on recent Modi-Aliyev interactions on the sidelines of the SCO Summit.

Science & Technology

JAXA Readies Martian Moons eXploration Mission to Phobos

JAXA announced final launch preparations for its Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) mission to land on Phobos and bring surface samples back to Earth. The probe aims to collect at least 10 grams of regolith using a pneumatic sampler to find whether the moons are captured asteroids or giant-impact remnants. A rover from France’s CNES and Germany’s DLR will explore Phobos.

Important Days

International Day for the Eradication of Poverty 2026: ‘Safe Homes for All’

The UN observed the International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October 2026 under the theme ‘Safe Homes for All’. Over 2.8 billion people face severe housing insecurity, including 1.1 billion in informal settlements. UN DESA urged policymakers to involve poverty-affected people in housing policy, in line with the Doha Political Declaration.

Miscellaneous

Demographic Changes Panel’s Portal Gets 500+ Suggestions in Two Days

The portal launched by the Ministry of Home Affairs’ High-Level Committee on Demographic Changes received over 500 public suggestions within 48 hours. The committee, chaired by a retired Supreme Court judge, is examining challenges from rapid demographic change due to illegal cross-border migration. Public feedback will shape recommendations for a permanent, time-bound framework to identify, detain and deport illegal immigrants.