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Current Affairs 26 October – 1 November 2026

43 news items, each with its source · for RAS, CET and other Rajasthan exams · published 5 November 2026

Take the 26 Oct – 1 Nov quiz · 15 Q

Rajasthan

Rajasthan declares 80 tehsils in 14 districts drought-affected; Jodhpur has the most (12)

On 26 October 2026 the Rajasthan government declared 80 tehsils across 14 districts drought-affected because of deficient rainfall and damage to Kharif crops. Jodhpur has the most (12 tehsils), followed by Jalore and Barmer (10 each); 69 tehsils are severely and 11 moderately affected. The declaration is in force for six months: fodder depots can open for livestock and recovery of farm loans stays suspended.

Exam angle: 80 tehsils, 14 districts; Jodhpur most (12); valid six months

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan raises ASHA Sahyogini honorarium by 10% to Rs 5,455 a month from 1 October 2026

On 26 October 2026 the Rajasthan government gave financial approval to raise the monthly honorarium of ASHA Sahyoginis by 10 per cent, from Rs 4,959 to Rs 5,455. The increase is payable from 1 October 2026. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma had promised the rise to ASHA Sahyoginis on Raksha Bandhan.

Exam angle: ASHA Sahyogini honorarium Rs 4,959 to Rs 5,455 (10% rise)

Source: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

15th Narmada Control Authority Review Committee meet: Rajasthan preparing DPR to store surplus Narmada water

The 15th meeting of the Review Committee of the Narmada Control Authority was held on 27 October 2026 under Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil; the Chief Ministers of Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra joined by video conference. Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma said a Detailed Project Report is being prepared to store the surplus monsoon water available to Rajasthan under the 1979 Narmada Water Disputes Tribunal award. He said sprinkler irrigation has been made mandatory across the whole command area of the Narmada Canal Project (Jalore and Barmer), which has 2.46 lakh hectares of arable command area.

Exam angle: Narmada Canal command area: sprinkler irrigation mandatory; NWDT award of 1979

Source: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release), English (opens in a new tab)

Jaipur hosts 10th Distribution Utility Meet; India's first sodium-ion battery storage pilot for Jaipur Discom

Rajasthan hosted the Distribution Utility Meet (DUM-2026), the 10th national conference of power distribution companies, for the first time, in Jaipur on 27-28 October 2026, organised with the India Smart Grid Forum. On 28 October Jaipur Discom and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP) issued a request for proposals for the country's first distribution-transformer-level sodium-ion battery energy storage pilot. The 250 kW/250 kWh project at K.L. Saini Stadium will test sodium-ion as an alternative to lithium-ion for managing peak demand and storing rooftop solar power in Jaipur's Mansarovar area.

Exam angle: First sodium-ion BESS pilot: Jaipur Discom + GEAPP, 250 kW/250 kWh

Sources: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan panchayat polls phase 2: 64.32% turnout for Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti seats; Banswara top

In the second phase of Rajasthan's panchayati raj elections, 22 districts voted on 28 October 2026 for 352 wards of 22 Zila Parishads and 2,197 wards of 124 Panchayat Samitis, with 64.32 per cent turnout; Banswara was highest (76.56%) and Jalore lowest (52.45%). On 30 October, ward panches and sarpanches were elected in 3,626 gram panchayats of these 124 Panchayat Samitis. The remaining phases are on 3 and 14 November.

Exam angle: Phase 2: 64.32% (ZP/PS); Banswara highest, Jalore lowest

Sources: ThePrint (PTI) (opens in a new tab), UNI (opens in a new tab)

VB-G RAM G: women get 72.69% of work-days in Rajasthan, over 10 points above the national average

On 29 October 2026 the state government said women accounted for 72.69 per cent of the employment days generated in Rajasthan in 2026-27 under the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin), or VB-G RAM G, against a national average of 62.25 per cent. So far 18.86 lakh households and 21.66 lakh people in the state have got work, an average of 24.29 days per household against 20.02 nationally. 42,557 assets have been created; the scheme raised the statutory guarantee from 100 to 125 days a year.

Exam angle: Women's share 72.69% (national 62.25%); 24.29 days per household

Source: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release), English (opens in a new tab)

Country's first ceramic-storage concentrated solar power pilot to come up at Bhadla; NTPC with RRECL

On 30 October 2026 the state said Rajasthan Renewable Energy Corporation Limited (RRECL) has approved NTPC to set up a 320 kW pilot concentrated solar power (CSP) project at Bhadla, the first of its kind in the country. It will store daytime solar energy as heat in high-temperature ceramic modules and use it after sunset to drive an air turbine, cutting dependence on chemical batteries. The ceramic thermal storage technology is from the US company 247Solar; the power will be used inside the NTPC plant.

Exam angle: First ceramic-storage CSP pilot: Bhadla, 320 kW, NTPC; tech by 247Solar

Sources: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release), English (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthani and Hindi litterateur Bhanwar Singh Samaur passes away; Governor calls it an irreparable loss

On 31 October 2026 Governor Haribhau Bagade condoled the death of Bhanwar Singh Samaur, a noted writer in Rajasthani and Hindi and a scholar of Rajasthani culture who had been honoured by the Sahitya Akademi. The Governor said his research on Rajasthani language and culture, his dictionary (kosh) work and his creative writing were exemplary, and called his death an irreparable loss to Rajasthani literature and culture.

Exam angle: Persons in news: Bhanwar Singh Samaur, Rajasthani writer and kosh-maker

Source: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (Raj Bhavan, Hindi) (opens in a new tab)

Om Birla lays foundation of Rs 290 crore integrated district court complex in Kota, the state's largest

On 1 November 2026 Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla and Rajasthan High Court Chief Justice Sanjay Agrawal laid the foundation stone of an integrated district court complex and advocates' chambers in Kota, to be built at about Rs 290 crore. It will be the largest and most modern district court complex in the state. The complex is planned to have 54 courts and about 240 advocates' chambers, with a library, bank and canteen.

Exam angle: Kota: state's largest integrated district court complex, 54 courts, Rs 290 crore

Source: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan second among neighbouring states in breast cancer screening; HPV test pilot in five districts

On 1 November 2026 the state health department said Rajasthan ranks second in cumulative cancer screening among neighbouring states (Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi and Madhya Pradesh) under the National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases. It has screened 1.58 crore women for breast cancer (84% of target) and 3.33 crore people for oral cancer (87%). HPV DNA-based cervical screening is being piloted in Jaipur, Dausa, Ajmer, Bikaner and Neem Ka Thana, and Day Care Cancer Centres run in all 61 district hospitals.

Exam angle: HPV pilot districts: Jaipur, Dausa, Ajmer, Bikaner, Neem Ka Thana

Sources: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release), English (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan's Arundhati Chaudhary wins 70 kg gold as India top 46th Tammer boxing tournament in Finland

India topped the medal table at the 46th International Tammer Boxing Tournament in Tampere, Finland, which ended on 1 November 2026, with 14 medals: four gold, two silver and eight bronze. Rajasthan's Arundhati Chaudhary won gold in the women's 70 kg; the other golds went to Aarti Dhariyal (54 kg), Ankushita Boro (65 kg) and Pawan Bartwal (men's 55 kg). Governor Haribhau Bagade congratulated Arundhati on 2 November.

Exam angle: Tammer tournament = Tampere, Finland; Arundhati 70 kg gold

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (Raj Bhavan, Hindi) (opens in a new tab)

National

Health Ministry launches 60-day Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 4.0

On 28 October 2026 Union Minister of State for Health Prataprao Jadhav launched the fourth edition of the Tobacco Free Youth Campaign in New Delhi. The 60-day nationwide campaign aims to stop young people from starting tobacco, encourage quitting, enforce tobacco-control laws and create tobacco-free spaces. Over 5.8 lakh educational institutions and 73,000 villages were declared tobacco-free under the first three editions.

Exam angle: Tobacco Free Youth Campaign 4.0: 60 days, Health Ministry

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Centre notifies National Social Security Board for gig and platform workers, chaired by Labour Minister

On 30 October 2026 the government notified the constitution of the National Social Security Board for unorganised, gig and platform workers. It will be chaired by the Union Minister for Labour and Employment and include the Centre, states, aggregator companies, employers, workers' unions and gig and platform associations. The Board will recommend and monitor welfare schemes for these workers and advise the Centre on the administration of the Code on Social Security.

Exam angle: Board chair: Union Labour and Employment Minister

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Census population count from 25 January to 28 February 2027 in all states except eight poll- or snow-bound

On 30 October 2026 the Home Ministry notified that population enumeration of the Census will be held from 25 January to 28 February 2027 in all states and UTs except Manipur, Goa, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Uttarakhand, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir. A revisional round will run from 1 to 5 March 2027. Self-enumeration will be open from 10 to 24 January 2027.

Exam angle: Enumeration 25 Jan-28 Feb 2027; self-enumeration 10-24 Jan

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Simhastha Kumbh Mela begins at Nashik-Trimbakeshwar; President Murmu hoists the main flag at Ramkund

The Simhastha Kumbh Mela at Nashik and Trimbakeshwar in Maharashtra began on 31 October 2026, at the moment of Jupiter's entry into the Leo (Simha) zodiac sign. President Droupadi Murmu hoisted the main flag at Ramkund in Nashik, and Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis hoisted the Dharma Dhwaj at Kushavarta Tirtha in Trimbakeshwar.

Exam angle: Simhastha = Jupiter in Leo; Nashik (Ramkund), Trimbakeshwar (Kushavarta)

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

PM approves Northern Bullet Train Corridor, Delhi to Guwahati via Siliguri; new Vande Bharat sleeper trains

On 31 October 2026 Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved the Northern Bullet Train Corridor of about 1,500 km from Delhi to Guwahati via Siliguri, with stations including Agra, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ayodhya, Varanasi, Prayagraj and Patna. It is to cut the Delhi-Siliguri journey from 20 hours to six. He announced it while flagging off the Varanasi-New Delhi Vande Bharat Sleeper Express; on 1 November he flagged off the Bengaluru-Mumbai Vande Bharat Sleeper.

Exam angle: Northern bullet corridor: Delhi-Guwahati via Siliguri, about 1,500 km

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

International

India and Mexico sign Terms of Reference to launch talks on a Preferential Trade Agreement

On 26 October 2026 India and Mexico signed the Terms of Reference for a Preferential Trade Agreement in Mexico, formally launching negotiations; both governments announced it on 28 October. Commerce Secretary Rajesh Agrawal, on an official visit to Mexico City, and Mexico's Undersecretary of Foreign Trade Luis Rosendo Gutiérrez Romano signed it. The talks will cover market access for goods, rules of origin, customs and trade facilitation, dispute settlement and technical barriers to trade; they follow an understanding between PM Modi and President Claudia Sheinbaum at the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2025.

Exam angle: India-Mexico: ToR for PTA (not FTA) signed

Sources: AIR News (opens in a new tab), Mexico News Daily (opens in a new tab), Uno TV (opens in a new tab)

India hosts 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum in New Delhi; presidency passes to China

The two-day 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum was held in New Delhi on 26-27 October 2026 under the chairmanship of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, with the theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'. Its four plenary sessions covered institutional resilience, human-centric innovation in artificial intelligence and digital technologies, parliamentary cooperation for more representative global governance, and sustainability. After the joint statement was adopted on 27 October, the presidency of the Forum was handed over to China.

Exam angle: Theme 'Fostering Parliaments for People-Centric Development'; next chair China

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Quad foreign ministers meet in Atlanta; pledge over $85 million to support trusted AI across Indo-Pacific

On 31 October 2026 the US Secretary of State and the Foreign Ministers of India, Australia and Japan met in Atlanta, Georgia, on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting hosted by the US. They announced over $85 million of technical and financial help for access to trusted AI across the Indo-Pacific, including through the Quad AI Accelerator. They also stressed freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, the Red Sea and Bab el-Mandeb, and condemned online scam networks.

Exam angle: Quad FMs, Atlanta: over $85 million for trusted AI; Quad AI Accelerator

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

First FATF plenary under UK presidency ends in Paris; Bulgaria, Monaco, DRC, Côte d'Ivoire off grey list

The first Financial Action Task Force (FATF) plenary under the UK presidency of Giles Thomson ended in Paris on 31 October 2026. Members agreed to speed up implementation of FATF standards on virtual assets and to act against fraud and scam compounds. Bulgaria, Côte d'Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Monaco were removed from the list of jurisdictions under increased monitoring (the 'grey list'). India said at the meeting that terror financing and cross-border terrorism must be held accountable.

Exam angle: FATF president Giles Thomson (UK); four removed from grey list

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

28th Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda, 1-4 November

The Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) 2026 opened in St John's, Antigua and Barbuda, on 1 November and runs until 4 November 2026. Its theme is 'Accelerating Partnerships and Investment for a Prosperous Commonwealth'. External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar led the Indian delegation, travelling from the G20 Foreign Ministers' meeting in Atlanta.

Exam angle: CHOGM 2026 host: Antigua and Barbuda (St John's); theme

Sources: Commonwealth Secretariat (opens in a new tab), AIR News (opens in a new tab), AIR News (opens in a new tab)

Economy & schemes

Centre allows E100 ethanol fuel in flex-fuel vehicles through amendment to Central Motor Vehicles Rules

On 26 October 2026 the Road Transport and Highways Ministry notified amendments to the Central Motor Vehicles Rules, 1989, recognising E100 fuel (up to 100% ethanol) for flex-fuel vehicles designed and certified for it. E100 is added alongside E85 in the emission provisions, opening the way for makers to launch vehicles that run on 100% bio-ethanol. Vehicles built for E20 petrol or conventional fuel cannot use E85 or E100.

Exam angle: E100 allowed for flex-fuel vehicles; CMV Rules 1989 amended

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Cabinet approves Rs 10,000 crore Container Manufacturing scheme and Khelo India Sports Goods scheme

The Union Cabinet on 28 October 2026 approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore for 13 years up to 2039-40, to build a globally competitive container industry and cut imports; it is expected to create about 3,000 direct and over 50,000 indirect jobs. It also approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with an outlay of Rs 1,856.67 crore over eight years up to 2033-34, which will set up Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs).

Exam angle: Container scheme Rs 10,000 crore to 2039-40; SGMZs under Khelo India scheme

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), DD India (opens in a new tab)

Cabinet clears Rs 7,395.55 crore Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana for panchayats; 3% DA hike

On 28 October 2026 the Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PMVGSY), a centrally sponsored scheme of the Panchayati Raj Ministry with an outlay of Rs 7,395.55 crore for 2026-27 to 2030-31, to make panchayats self-reliant and high-performing. It covers about 2.55 lakh panchayats and traditional local bodies, including non-Part IX areas without panchayats, and about 32 lakh elected representatives. The Cabinet also approved a 3% rise in Dearness Allowance and Dearness Relief from 1 July 2026, benefiting over 48 lakh employees and 68 lakh pensioners.

Exam angle: PMVGSY: Rs 7,395.55 crore, 2026-27 to 2030-31, Panchayati Raj Ministry

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), DD News (opens in a new tab)

PM releases 24th PM-KISAN instalment from Banaskantha; over 66 lakh Rajasthan farmers get Rs 1,335 crore

On 30 October 2026 Prime Minister Narendra Modi released the 24th instalment of PM-KISAN at Banaskantha, Gujarat, transferring over Rs 18,690 crore (about Rs 19,000 crore) to more than 9.34 crore farmers. In Rajasthan, over 66 lakh farmers received Rs 1,335 crore; Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma joined by video link. The PM said about Rs 4.5 lakh crore has been transferred to farmers under the scheme so far.

Exam angle: 24th instalment from Banaskantha; Rajasthan 66 lakh farmers, Rs 1,335 crore

Sources: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release), English (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

World Bank: India's extreme poverty fell from 27.1% to 2.6% between 2011 and 2023

On 30 October 2026 Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said the World Bank's October 2026 Poverty and Equity report shows India's extreme poverty declined from 27.1 per cent to 2.6 per cent between 2011 and 2023, one of the fastest falls in the world. Over 49 crore people moved above the lower-middle-income poverty line in the same period, and employment rose by 13.4 crore between 2017 and 2023.

Exam angle: World Bank Poverty and Equity report: extreme poverty 27.1% to 2.6%

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Centre sets up High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat under ex-CVC Suresh N. Patel

On 30 October 2026 the Finance Ministry constituted the High-Level Committee on Banking for Viksit Bharat to recommend structural, regulatory and legislative reforms for the banking sector. It is chaired by former Central Vigilance Commissioner Suresh N. Patel, with RBI Deputy Governor Shirish Chandra Murmu, former Indian Bank MD Padmaja Chunduru and former RBI Deputy Governor N. S. Vishwanathan as members, and has six months. The committee was announced in the Union Budget 2026-27.

Exam angle: Banking committee chair: Suresh N. Patel (ex-CVC); six months

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), DD India (opens in a new tab)

Gross GST collections rise about 23% to over Rs 2.31 lakh crore in October 2026

Provisional data released on 1 November 2026 showed gross GST collections of over Rs 2.31 lakh crore in October 2026, nearly 23 per cent higher than a year earlier. Revenue from domestic sales rose 15.8 per cent to over Rs 1.59 lakh crore and from imports 42.2 per cent to Rs 72,246 crore. Net GST revenue after refunds rose 25.6 per cent to Rs 2.03 lakh crore.

Exam angle: October 2026 gross GST over Rs 2.31 lakh crore (+23%)

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Science & environment

Defence Acquisition Council clears proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore; 82% from Indian industry

The Defence Acquisition Council chaired by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh cleared capital acquisition proposals worth about Rs 2.12 lakh crore on 26 October 2026; nearly 82 per cent will be bought from Indian industry. For the Army they include Light Multi Role Helicopters, a self-propelled tracked gun system, very short-range air defence and long-range kamikaze drones. The Navy gets an Active Offboard Decoy System, and the Air Force helicopters, air defence systems and mobile X-band Doppler weather radars.

Exam angle: DAC (chair: Defence Minister): Rs 2.12 lakh crore, 82% indigenous

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Very severe cyclonic storm 'Arnab' makes landfall near Kakinada on Andhra Pradesh-Yanam coast

Very severe cyclonic storm Arnab from the Bay of Bengal began its landfall on the Andhra Pradesh and Yanam (Puducherry) coasts near Kakinada at 1:20 am on 28 October 2026, according to the IMD. It brought heavy rain to Andhra Pradesh and southern Odisha. Home Minister Amit Shah spoke to the Chief Ministers of Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry, Odisha and Chhattisgarh, and a central team assessed the damage in Andhra Pradesh.

Exam angle: Cyclone Arnab: landfall near Kakinada (AP) and Yanam

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

ISRO's GSLV-F18 places navigation satellite NVS-03 in orbit; adds L1 band to NavIC

ISRO's GSLV-F18 lifted off from the Second Launch Pad at Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota, at 23:51 IST on 30 October 2026 and placed the navigation satellite NVS-03 in geosynchronous transfer orbit. It was the 20th flight of the GSLV. NVS-03, the third satellite of the second-generation NavIC series, carries an indigenous atomic clock and adds the L1 frequency band to the existing L5 and S bands.

Exam angle: NVS-03 on GSLV-F18 (20th GSLV flight); L1 band added to L5 and S

Sources: ISRO (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), ThePrint (PTI) (opens in a new tab)

India hosts BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram, Andaman and Nicobar Islands

India began hosting the BIMSTEC Maritime Security Exercise at Sri Vijaya Puram in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands on 30 October 2026; it runs until 3 November. It has three days of tabletop exercises followed by a two-day harbour phase with ships from BIMSTEC member countries. The exercise was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at the 6th BIMSTEC Summit in Thailand.

Exam angle: BIMSTEC maritime exercise: Sri Vijaya Puram; announced at 6th BIMSTEC Summit

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

UN biodiversity COP17 ends in Yerevan, Armenia, with the 'Yerevan Pathway'

The 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP17), which began in Yerevan, Armenia, on 19 October, ended on 31 October 2026 with nearly 50 decisions. It held the first global review of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (adopted in 2022), which found the world off track for its 23 targets for 2030. Parties adopted the 'Yerevan Pathway' on harmful subsidies, support for developing countries and national monitoring; Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav led India.

Exam angle: CBD COP17 host Yerevan (Armenia); outcome 'Yerevan Pathway'

Sources: LexisNexis (citing CBD Secretariat) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Sports

Manisha Bhanwala becomes first Indian woman to win gold at the Wrestling World Championships

On 30 October 2026 Manisha Bhanwala won the women's 59 kg gold at the Wrestling World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, coming back from 0-6 to beat Abigail Nette of the USA 8-6. She is the first Indian woman world champion and only the second Indian world champion after Sushil Kumar (66 kg, 2010). For the first time three Indian women reached finals: Neelam Sirohi (50 kg) and Kajal Dhochak (76 kg) won silver.

Exam angle: First Indian woman wrestling world champion: Manisha Bhanwala, 59 kg, Astana

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

India win both men's and women's titles at inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad

On 31 October 2026 India won both titles at the first Commonwealth Kabaddi Championship in Ahmedabad. The women's team beat Uganda 35-15 in the final and the men's team beat Sri Lanka 54-20.

Exam angle: Inaugural Commonwealth Kabaddi: Ahmedabad; women beat Uganda, men Sri Lanka

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

PV Sindhu wins Hylo Open Super 500 in Germany, her second title of the season

On 1 November 2026 PV Sindhu won the women's singles title at the Hylo Open, a BWF Super 500 event in Germany, beating Denmark's Line Højmark Kjærsfeldt 21-12, 21-14 in 39 minutes. It was her second title of the season after the Japan Open.

Exam angle: Hylo Open (Super 500, Germany): Sindhu champion

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Awards & appointments

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding A P Singh

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on 31 October 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who retired. He was earlier the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. An NDA alumnus commissioned into the fighter stream in 1986, he helped finalise the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrades and the operational clearances of the LCA Tejas Mk-I.

Exam angle: 29th Chief of the Air Staff: Ashutosh Dixit (after A P Singh)

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak 2026 awarded to 490 police personnel

On 31 October 2026 the Home Ministry announced the Kendriya Grihmantri Dakshata Padak for 2026 for 490 personnel of state and UT police, Central Armed Police Forces and Central Police Organisations. The medal, instituted on 1 February 2024, recognises excellence in operations, investigation, intelligence and forensic science. It is announced every year on 31 October, the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.

Exam angle: Dakshata Padak: 490 personnel; instituted 1 Feb 2024; announced 31 Oct

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Days, reports & indices

Vigilance Awareness Week 2026 (26 Oct-1 Nov) observed with theme 'Satyanishtha se Samriddhi'

Vigilance Awareness Week was observed across the country from 26 October to 1 November 2026 with the theme 'Satyanishtha se Samriddhi - Probity for Prosperity'. It began with an integrity pledge by public servants in ministries, PSUs and banks. The week is held every year in the week of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel's birth anniversary (31 October).

Exam angle: VAW 2026 theme: 'Satyanishtha se Samriddhi - Probity for Prosperity'

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

World Stroke Day (29 October): 2026 campaign message 'Every Minute Counts - Know the Signs of Stroke'

World Stroke Day was observed on 29 October 2026 with the campaign message 'Every Minute Counts - Know the Signs of Stroke'. Union Health Minister J P Nadda urged people not to ignore sudden facial drooping, arm weakness or difficulty in speaking and to seek medical help at once. A stroke happens when the blood supply to part of the brain is cut off.

Exam angle: World Stroke Day 29 Oct: 'Every Minute Counts'

Source: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas marks Sardar Patel's 151st birth anniversary; PM attends Ekta Parade at Ekta Nagar

Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day) was observed on 31 October 2026, the 151st birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel. Prime Minister Narendra Modi led the celebrations at Ekta Nagar in Gujarat's Narmada district with the Ekta Parade of security forces. On 30 October he opened 'Bharat Parv 2026' there, a cultural festival of 'Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat' running till 15 November; in Bikaner, Union Minister Arjun Ram Meghwal flagged off a 'Run for Unity' on 31 October.

Exam angle: 31 Oct = Rashtriya Ekta Diwas; Patel's 151st birth anniversary

Sources: News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab)

World Cities Day (31 October) 2026: theme 'Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All'; host Fuzhou

World Cities Day was observed on 31 October 2026 with the theme 'Regenerating the City: Adequate Housing for All'. The global observance, led by UN-Habitat, was hosted by Fuzhou in China's Fujian Province and closed UN-Habitat's 'Urban October' campaign. The day's overall theme is 'Better City, Better Life'.

Exam angle: WCD 2026 theme; host Fuzhou (China); UN-Habitat

Sources: UN-Habitat (opens in a new tab), The Star (Xinhua) (opens in a new tab)

BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week (1-7 November) begins; theme 'One Week, Seven Actions, One Planet'

The BRICS Sustainable Lifestyle Week 2026, called for by the Union Environment Ministry during India's BRICS chairship and inspired by Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment), began across India, including Rajasthan, on 1 November and runs till 7 November. Its theme is 'One Week, Seven Actions, One Planet', with one action a day: healthy lifestyle, energy saving, water conservation, sustainable food systems, saying no to single-use plastic, reducing e-waste and reducing waste. Jaipur held a 'Cyclothon for All' on 1 November.

Exam angle: Theme 'One Week, Seven Actions, One Planet'; linked to Mission LiFE

Sources: CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (Hindi) (opens in a new tab), CMO Rajasthan (DIPR press release) (opens in a new tab), News On AIR (AIR) (opens in a new tab)

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