29 October 2026 | English | FREE Current Affairs PDF

Today’s Highlight: The Reserve Bank of India held its 36th Conference of State Finance Secretaries in Mumbai, and India’s foreign exchange reserves fell to $721.016 billion. Banking and economy news like this is regularly asked in Banking, SSC and TNPSC exams.

News in One Liner – 29 October 2026

PIB News

PM Modi To Inaugurate Emerging Science, Technology And Innovation Conclave 2026

Prime Minister Narendra Modi was scheduled to inaugurate the three-day Emerging Science, Technology and Innovation Conclave 2026 at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, on 27 October 2026. The Conclave runs from 27 to 29 October and covers 12 thematic areas, including artificial intelligence, biotechnology and climate. It also has an exhibition with around 150 deep-tech startup stalls and a new Global Connect Networking Event for more than 300 invited participants.

Rajnath Singh Calls For Aatmanirbharta 2.0 At Navy’s SWAVLAMBAN Seminar

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh called for Aatmanirbharta 2.0 in defence at the fifth edition of the Indian Navy’s SWAVLAMBAN seminar in New Delhi on 26 October 2026. He stressed advanced technologies, stronger research and resilient supply chains to cut import dependence, and proposed a Dual Technology Roadmap for technologies useful to both civilian and military needs. Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Krishna Swaminathan said Navy-specific iDEX challenges have grown from 20 to 229 since 2022.

Rajnath Singh To Lead India At 13th ADMM-Plus In Cebu

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh will lead the Indian delegation at the 13th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus in Cebu, Philippines, from 28 to 29 October 2026. He will speak on regional and international security issues and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines. The Philippines chairs the forum for 2026, and India co-chairs the Experts’ Working Group on Counter-Terrorism with Malaysia for 2024 to 2027.

MoSPI To Align Annual Survey Of Unincorporated Enterprises With Financial Year

The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation will run the Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises 2027-28 from April 2027 to March 2028, instead of the calendar year. For the first time, the survey will capture the constraints faced by women entrepreneurs. Comments on the proposed schedule can be sent by 15 November 2026.

MoSPI Flash Report Tracks 1,853 Projects Worth Rs 37.56 Lakh Crore

The Monthly Flash Report of the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation covers 1,853 projects across 17 ministries as of September 2026. The projects cost Rs 37.56 lakh crore in all, and Rs 17.73 lakh crore has been spent, which is 47.21 per cent. Transport and Logistics has 1,320 projects and Energy has 225, together making up 83.4 per cent of the total.

TRAI Recommends Light-Touch Framework For Application-Based Linear TV Services

The Telecom Regulatory Authority of India released recommendations on 26 October 2026 for a light-touch authorisation framework for Application-based Linear Television Distribution services. The authorisation would cover a national service area for 20 years, with a one-time entry fee of Rs 1 lakh and no authorisation fee or bank guarantee. The new category would sit under Section 3(1)(a) of the Telecommunications Act, 2023.

Government Extends RELIEF Export Risk Cover Scheme Till 31 March 2027

The Department of Commerce has extended Component II of the Resilience and Logistics Intervention for Export Facilitation, known as RELIEF, to 31 March 2027. It offers exporters 95 per cent risk coverage on ECGC cover for shipments to specified regions hit by West Asia disruptions. The scheme was launched on 19 March 2026 under the Export Promotion Mission.

TDB Signs Rs 116 Crore Agreement With Manastu For Green Propulsion

The Technology Development Board has signed an agreement with Manastu Space Technologies Private Limited of Navi Mumbai to support green space propulsion. It will provide Rs 116 crore from the Research Development and Innovation Fund through Optionally Convertible Debt. The total project cost is Rs 277.63 crore, and the aim is to take the technology from Technology Readiness Level 6 to 9.

Nadda Launches Programme To Train 10,000 Drug De-Addiction Service Providers

Union Health Minister J P Nadda launched a capacity building programme on 26 October 2026 to train 10,000 drug de-addiction service providers by March 2029. The training runs through six institutions of the Drug De-Addiction Programme, with the National Drug Dependence Treatment Centre at AIIMS New Delhi coordinating. It supports the goal of a drug free India by 2029.

Industry News

About 1,100 Declarations Filed Under Foreign Assets Disclosure Scheme

About 1,100 declarations have been filed under the Foreign Assets of Small Taxpayers Disclosure Scheme 2026, which is open until 31 December 2026. The scheme took effect on 16 August 2026. Declarants get immunity under the Black Money Act, 2015 and can avoid an annual non-reporting penalty of Rs 10 lakh.

India’s Natural Gas Import Bill Rises 23 Per Cent In First Half

India’s natural gas import bill rose 23 per cent to $8.5 billion in April to September of 2026-27, from $6.9 billion a year earlier, according to Petroleum Planning and Analysis Cell data. Import dependence rose to 52.3 per cent from 50.1 per cent as domestic production fell 4.4 per cent. Petroleum product imports fell 24.5 per cent to $8.6 billion.

India’s Forex Reserves Fall $5 Billion To $721 Billion

India’s foreign exchange reserves fell $5.011 billion to $721.016 billion in the week ended 16 October 2026. Foreign currency assets fell $5.758 billion to $591.847 billion, while gold reserves rose $706 million to $105.8 billion. The all-time high of $785.706 billion was recorded in the week ended 4 September.

Financial News

RBI Holds 36th Conference Of State Finance Secretaries In Mumbai

The Reserve Bank of India held the 36th Conference of State Finance Secretaries on 27 October 2026 in Mumbai, with finance secretaries from 27 States and 3 Union Territories. Governor Sanjay Malhotra urged States to join the Unified Lending Interface and use Programmable Central Bank Digital Currency for Direct Benefit Transfers. He also released a booklet on cash and debt management for State governments.

RBI Releases Overseas Direct Investment Data For September 2026

The Reserve Bank of India released its Overseas Direct Investment data for September 2026 on 26 October 2026. The data covers investments made through both the Automatic route and the Approval route. The Reserve Bank publishes it every month, and overseas investment is regulated under the Foreign Exchange Management Act, 1999.

National & State News

Concessional Local Pass Announced For Highway Users Near Fee Plazas

The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways announced a concessional annual Local Pass on 27 October 2026, effective from 1 November. It is for owners of non-commercial vehicles within 20 kilometres of a National Highway fee plaza. The annual fee is Rs 1,500 outside municipal or town limits and Rs 3,000 within them, and a valid FASTag is needed.

Census 2027 Units Told Not To Release Provisional Data

Registrar General and Census Commissioner Mrityunjay Kumar Narayan has directed all Census 2027 units not to release any data or provisional figures until further instructions. Census data is confidential under the Census Act, 1948. Enumeration in Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and non-snow-bound Uttarakhand runs from 1 December 2026 to 4 January 2027.

Four New Ministers Join Omar Abdullah’s Jammu And Kashmir Cabinet

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha administered the oath to four National Conference legislators at Lok Bhavan in Srinagar on 27 October 2026. The new Ministers are Mir Saifullah, Ali Mohammad Sagar, Shameema Firdous and Altaf Ahmad Wani. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary said the expansion delivers on a promise made by the party.

Assam Approves 12 Per Cent Reservation For Former Agniveers

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said the Cabinet approved a 12 per cent horizontal reservation for eligible former Agniveers in specified state government posts. It covers services such as the Assam Police, Forest, prisons and Home Guards. It is meant for Assam domiciles who completed the full four year tenure, and annual recruitment drives begin in 2027.

Maharashtra Wildlife Board Approves Two Sanctuaries And 14 Conservation Reserves

The State Board for Wildlife, chaired by Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, approved two sanctuaries and 14 conservation reserves at its 26th meeting on 26 October 2026. The reserves are spread across seven districts including Pune, Raigad and Nashik. The Board also approved parts of Koka Wildlife Sanctuary and Jayakwadi Bird Sanctuary as critical wildlife habitats.

World News

PM Modi And Liechtenstein’s Prince Alois Back Reform Of Global Institutions

Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Hereditary Prince Alois of Liechtenstein reaffirmed on 27 October 2026 their commitment to reform and strengthen multilateral institutions, including the United Nations. They discussed trade and investment, innovation, science and technology, skill development and people-to-people ties. Both sides welcomed the positive momentum from the India-EFTA Trade and Economic Partnership Agreement.

Science & Technology

IIT Kharagpur To Set Up Rs 35 Crore School Of Physical AI

The Indian Institute of Technology Kharagpur announced the Rs 35 crore Benjamin Gupta School of Physical Artificial Intelligence on 26 October 2026. It is backed by alumnus Vinod Gupta’s family and an anonymous alumnus, and will house the Department of Artificial Intelligence. Its focus areas include physics-informed machine learning, robotics and autonomous systems.

IIT Bombay Develops Low-Cost Device To Screen Anaemia And Sickle Cell

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, led by Professor Mahesh Tirumkudulu, developed a low cost device that screens for severe anaemia and sickle cell disease using the length of a blood smear. In a study of 516 people, it correctly identified 95.1 per cent of severe anaemia cases. The technology is licensed to the startup Rheoheme Private Limited.

Sports News

India Beat New Zealand By Six Wickets As Abhishek Sharma Scores 113

India beat New Zealand by six wickets in the third T20 International at Wellington on 27 October 2026, chasing 199 in 13.2 overs. Abhishek Sharma hit 113 off 38 balls and was named Player of the Match. India now lead the five match series 3-0.

Two Indian Women Wrestlers Win Silver At World Championships In Astana

Neelam Sirohi in the 50 kg category and Kajal Dhochak in the 76 kg category won silver medals for India at the World Wrestling Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan. Sirohi lost the final 5-0 to Yui Susaki, and Dhochak lost 8-6 to Ukraine’s Anastasiya Alpyeyeva. They join Anshu Malik as the only Indian women to win silver at the event.

P V Sindhu Finishes Runner-Up At French Open Behind An Se-young

P V Sindhu lost the women’s singles final of the French Open in Paris on 25 October 2026 to world number one An Se-young. Sindhu won the first game 21-16, but An Se-young took the next two games 21-11 and 21-12. It was An Se-young’s third consecutive French Open title.

Important Days

Rajnath Singh Salutes Army Infantry On Shaurya Diwas

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh saluted the infantrymen of the Indian Army on Shaurya Diwas, observed on 27 October, in a social media post. The day, also called Infantry Day, marks the landing of the first Army soldiers at Srinagar airfield on 27 October 1947. The troops landed a day after the instrument of accession of Jammu and Kashmir was signed.

International Day Of Care And Support 2026 Theme Highlights Decent Work

The International Day of Care and Support is observed every year on 29 October, after the United Nations General Assembly adopted resolution A/RES/77/317. The 2026 theme is Building sustainable care and support systems through decent work. Women do 76.2 per cent of unpaid care work, which is 3.2 times more than men.