Current Affairs 28 September – 4 October 2026

Octave 2026 festival of North-East culture held in Jaipur from 1 to 4 October

1 October 2026

Octave 2026, a four-day festival of the arts of North-East India, was held at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, from 1 to 4 October 2026. It was organised by the West Zone Cultural Centre (WZCC), Udaipur, a centre of the Union Ministry of Culture. Artists from states such as Sikkim, Manipur, Assam and Nagaland performed; Deputy Chief Minister Diya Kumari attended the closing on 4 October.

Exam angleOrganiser (WZCC Udaipur); venue (Rajasthan International Centre)

Sources:Dainik Bhaskar (Bhaskar English) (opens in a new tab)Nagaland Post (opens in a new tab)

Surat–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express: inaugural run on 2 October; regular service from 3–4 October

2 October 2026

The inaugural run of the Surat–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express left Surat on 2 October 2026 (Gandhi Jayanti). Regular service began from Udaipur on 3 October and from Surat on 4 October; the train (26903/26904) covers the route in about 7 hours 30 minutes, six days a week except Tuesday. Its nine commercial stops include Bharuch, Vadodara, Ahmedabad (Asarva), Himmatnagar, Dungarpur and Zawar.

Exam angleNew Vande Bharat linking Udaipur; journey time and Rajasthan stops

Sources:DeshGujarat (opens in a new tab)DeshGujarat (opens in a new tab)Business Today (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan panchayat elections announced: four phases from 23 October; 14,403 gram panchayats

3 October 2026

On 3 October 2026, State Election Commissioner Rajeshwar Singh announced elections to Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj institutions in four phases: 41 Zila Parishads, 457 Panchayat Samitis and 14,403 Gram Panchayats. Zila Parishad and Panchayat Samiti members will be elected on 23 and 29 October and 4 and 14 November, and panch-sarpanch polls are on 25 and 31 October and 6 and 16 November. There are 4,03,07,308 voters; the model code of conduct came into force at once.

Exam angleNumber of phases (4); count of zila parishads, samitis, gram panchayats

Sources:ThePrint (PTI) (opens in a new tab)ETV Bharat (opens in a new tab)

Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (Godawan) released into Desert National Park, Jaisalmer

4 October 2026

On 4 October 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav released two male captive-bred Great Indian Bustards in the Sudasari range of the Desert National Park, Jaisalmer, the first step from captive breeding to returning the bird to the wild. They were raised at the conservation breeding centres at Sam and Ramdevra under Project GIB, run since 2016 by the Environment Ministry, the Rajasthan Forest Department and the Wildlife Institute of India. The Godawan is Rajasthan's state bird and is critically endangered.

Exam angleRelease site (Desert National Park); breeding centres Sam and Ramdevra

Sources:DD News (opens in a new tab)ThePrint (opens in a new tab)ETV Bharat (opens in a new tab)

Five entries added to India's UNESCO Tentative List, taking it to 78; four are from Madhya Pradesh

29 September 2026

On 29 September 2026, five new entries were added to India's UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage, raising it to 78: Bagh Cave Paintings, the Group of Temples of the Chambal Valley (Bateshwar, Padavali, Kakanmath), Udaigiri Caves and Ginnorgarh, all in Madhya Pradesh. The fifth is 'Sites of Satyagraha', a serial transnational proposal with South Africa with nine components, two in South Africa and seven in India (including Sabarmati Ashram and Sevagram). A site must be on the Tentative List before it can be nominated for World Heritage status.

Exam angleTotal on Tentative List (78); 'Sites of Satyagraha' with South Africa

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

UIDAI launches five initiatives, including face authentication for ePDS, at Aadhaar Samvaad in Kolkata

29 September 2026

The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) unveiled five initiatives at Aadhaar Samvaad in Kolkata on 29 September 2026, the 17th Aadhaar Day and attended by Minister of State for Electronics and IT Jitin Prasada. They are Face Authentication for the electronic Public Distribution System (ePDS), SWIK Portal 2.0, a Sub-AUA/Sub-KUA (LITE) framework for low-volume users, a new token management system and a revamped UIDAI website. Face authentication gives ration beneficiaries a contactless option where fingerprints fail.

Exam angleVenue of Aadhaar Samvaad (Kolkata); face authentication for ePDS

Sources:Elets eGov (opens in a new tab)Business Standard (opens in a new tab)

UPSC completes 100 years: PM releases commemorative coin, stamp and book at Bharat Mandapam

1 October 2026

On 1 October 2026, Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the UPSC centenary celebrations at Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi, and released a commemorative coin, a stamp and the book '100 Landmark Judgements: Shaping the Policies of UPSC and Public Service Commissions in India'. The Public Service Commission was set up on 1 October 1926 on the recommendation of the Lee Commission, with Sir Ross Barker as its first chairman. Articles 315 to 323 of the Constitution deal with Public Service Commissions.

Exam angleUPSC founding date and Lee Commission; first chairman; Articles 315-323

Sources:The Hindu (opens in a new tab)India Today (opens in a new tab)News On AIR (opens in a new tab)

Mumbai Port's Jawahar Dweep declared India's first plastic-free oil terminal

2 October 2026

On 2 October 2026, the Mumbai Port Authority declared its Jawahar Dweep Marine Oil Terminal plastic-free, making it India's first oil terminal to fully eliminate single-use plastics. Union Ports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal marked the milestone and dedicated new oil-spill response facilities. Jawahar Dweep, earlier called Butcher Island, is an island terminal off Mumbai that handles crude oil and petroleum products.

Exam angleFirst plastic-free oil terminal; old name Butcher Island

Sources:Swarajya (opens in a new tab)The Week (opens in a new tab)

Second ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) begins at Subic Bay, Philippines

28 September 2026

The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026) began at Subic Bay, Philippines, on 28 September 2026, with Indian Naval Ships Sahyadri and Kulish and maritime forces of ASEAN member states. Its theme is 'Anchored in Trust, United at Sea'. The exercise supports India's Act East Policy and the MAHASAGAR vision.

Exam angleVenue (Subic Bay, Philippines); Indian ships; edition

Sources:PIB (opens in a new tab)DD India (opens in a new tab)

G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting held in Milwaukee, US; India's Piyush Goyal attends

30 September 2026

The G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting under the United States' G20 Presidency was held in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, on 30 September and 1 October 2026, hosted by US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. Its agenda covered structural excess capacity, updating the Most-Favoured-Nation principle, ending forced labour in supply chains and the weaponisation of trade in food. Commerce Minister Piyush Goyal represented India; the G20 Leaders' Summit is due in Florida in December 2026, and the United Kingdom holds the Presidency in 2027.

Exam angleHost city (Milwaukee); G20 Presidency 2026 (US) and 2027 (UK)

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

US completes troop withdrawal from Iraq, ending 12-year mission against Islamic State

30 September 2026

On 30 September 2026, the US military announced it had completed the withdrawal of all American troops from Iraq, ending its 12-year mission against the Islamic State group. The last troops left the air base at Erbil in the Kurdish region under a deal agreed between Baghdad and Washington two years earlier. Iraqi Prime Minister Ali al-Zaidi presided over the handover ceremony.

Exam angleEnd of US anti-IS mission in Iraq; last base Erbil

Source:The Wire (AP) (opens in a new tab)

Cabinet raises Rabi MSP for 2027-28: wheat at ₹2,610 a quintal; safflower gets highest hike of ₹675

30 September 2026

On 30 September 2026, the Union Cabinet raised the minimum support prices of all Rabi crops for the 2027-28 marketing season. Wheat MSP rose by ₹25 to ₹2,610 per quintal, while safflower got the highest increase of ₹675 (to ₹7,215) followed by rapeseed and mustard (₹413, to ₹6,613). The expected margin over cost is highest for wheat at 106%.

Exam angleWheat MSP 2027-28; crop with highest hike (safflower)

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

Cabinet approves ₹1.86 lakh crore Green Energy Corridor Phase-III to evacuate 135 GW of renewable power

30 September 2026

On 30 September 2026, the Union Cabinet approved the third phase of the Green Energy Corridor (GEC-III) to strengthen intra-state transmission and integrate up to 135 GW of renewable energy by 2032-33. The outlay is over ₹1.86 lakh crore, including ₹1.36 lakh crore for intra-state transmission and, for the first time, ₹50,000 crore for 50 GWh of battery energy storage. Central financial assistance is ₹54,082 crore.

Exam angleGEC-III target (135 GW) and battery storage (50 GWh)

Source:The Hindu (opens in a new tab)

Gross GST collections rise 14.7% to over ₹2.03 lakh crore in September 2026

1 October 2026

Data released on 1 October 2026 showed gross GST collections for September 2026 rose 14.7% to ₹2,03,521 crore. Revenue from imports grew 25.9% to ₹65,525 crore, and net collections after refunds rose 18.1% to ₹1,76,520 crore. It was the third month in a row in which collections stayed above ₹2 lakh crore.

Exam angleMonthly GST figure and growth rate

Sources:The Hindu (opens in a new tab)Business Today (opens in a new tab)

India–Kazakhstan exercise KAZIND-2026 (9th edition) held at Oskemen from 28 September

28 September 2026

The ninth edition of the India–Kazakhstan joint military exercise KAZIND is being held at Oskemen, Kazakhstan, from 28 September to 11 October 2026. The 60-member Indian contingent is drawn mainly from a battalion of the Garhwal Rifles, with Indian Air Force personnel. It aims to improve joint counter-terrorism operations in a sub-conventional setting under a United Nations mandate.

Exam anglePartner country and venue (Oskemen); Indian regiment

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

India's first PRAMAAN forest certificates go to Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation, Odisha farmer

29 September 2026

On 29 September 2026, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav handed over India's first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS) in New Delhi. They went to the Andhra Pradesh Forest Development Corporation for 33,000 hectares of plantations and to Govind Mohapatra, a farmer with the Odisha Bamboo Development Agency. The Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM), Bhopal, is the scheme's operating agency; IFWCS was launched in December 2023.

Exam angleScheme (IFWCS); operating agency IIFM Bhopal; first recipients

Sources:PIB (opens in a new tab)DD India (opens in a new tab)

India win both men's and women's hockey gold at Asian Games 2026 for the first time

3 October 2026

On 2 October 2026, India's women beat China 1-0 (Lalremsiami scoring) to win their first Asian Games hockey gold since 1982. On 3 October, the men beat Malaysia 5-1 at Kakamigahara, Japan, defending an Asian Games title for the first time; captain Harmanpreet Singh scored twice. It was the first time India won both hockey golds at the same Asian Games, and the gold medals earned both teams direct places at the LA 2028 Olympics.

Exam angleHockey double; final opponents (China, Malaysia); women's last gold 1982

Sources:Hockey India (opens in a new tab)Hockey India (opens in a new tab)Business Today (opens in a new tab)

India beat Pakistan by 19 runs to retain Asian Games men's cricket gold

3 October 2026

On 3 October 2026, India beat Pakistan by 19 runs in the men's cricket final of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games at Nisshin, Japan, to retain the gold they won in 2023. India made 211/6 and Pakistan replied with 192/6. India's women had also won cricket gold at these Games, so India again took both titles, as at Hangzhou 2023.

Exam angleFinal opponent and margin; venue Nisshin

Sources:Al Jazeera (opens in a new tab)Olympics.com (opens in a new tab)

Asian Games 2026 close in Aichi-Nagoya: India fourth with 85 medals (21 gold)

4 October 2026

The Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, closed on 4 October 2026. India finished fourth on the medal table with 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver and 37 bronze; China topped the table, followed by Japan and South Korea. Trap shooter Neeru Dhanda carried India's flag at the closing ceremony, and the Olympic Council of Asia handed the flag to Doha, Qatar, host of the 2030 Games.

Exam angleIndia's medal count and rank; next host Doha 2030

Source:Outlook India (opens in a new tab)

Rajasthan terracotta artist Chandra Shekhar Sain honoured with Lalit Kala Akademi National Award

29 September 2026

On 29 September 2026, Union Culture and Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat felicitated the 20 winners of the National Akademi Award at the Lalit Kala Akademi's 65th National Exhibition of Art in New Delhi. They included Rajasthan-based terracotta artist Chandra Shekhar Sain (Sculpture) for his work 'My Entire World-I'; he was the only artist from Rajasthan among this year's awardees. He had received the Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademi State Art Award in 2014.

Exam angleRajasthan artist and art form (terracotta sculpture); 65th National Exhibition

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

RBI approves Anup Bagchi as MD & CEO of HDFC Bank for three years from 27 October 2026

1 October 2026

On 1 October 2026, HDFC Bank announced that the Reserve Bank of India had approved Anup Bagchi as its Managing Director and CEO for three years from 27 October 2026. He succeeds Sashidhar Jagdishan, who did not seek a fresh term. Bagchi moves from ICICI Prudential Life Insurance, where he was MD & CEO. HDFC Bank is India's largest private-sector lender.

Exam angleNew head of HDFC Bank; predecessor Sashidhar Jagdishan

Sources:The Hindu (opens in a new tab)Business Today (opens in a new tab)

Older Persons Day (1 Oct) 2026 theme: 'The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives'

1 October 2026

The UN International Day of Older Persons was observed on 1 October 2026 with the theme 'The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives'. The UN General Assembly designated the day by resolution 45/106 of 14 December 1990, and 2026 was its 36th observance. The Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing (2002) remains the main global framework on ageing.

Exam angleTheme of 2026; UNGA resolution 45/106 (1990)

Sources:United Nations (opens in a new tab)UN DESA (opens in a new tab)

2 October: 157th Gandhi Jayanti, International Day of Non-Violence and Swachh Bharat Diwas

2 October 2026

The 157th birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (born 1869) was marked on 2 October 2026, along with the birth anniversary of former PM Lal Bahadur Shastri (born 1904). The UN observes 2 October as the International Day of Non-Violence under General Assembly resolution 61/271 of 15 June 2007, moved by India. The day is also Swachh Bharat Diwas, which closed the Swachhata Hi Seva 2026 campaign (17 September–2 October) on the theme 'Swachhata Mein Sahbhag, Swachh Bharat, Viksit Bharat'.

Exam angleGandhi anniversary number; UN Non-Violence Day (2007); SHS 2026 theme

Sources:The Economic Times (opens in a new tab)United Nations (opens in a new tab)PIB (opens in a new tab)

Q1

In October 2026, the Rajasthan State Election Commission announced elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions of the state. In how many phases will they be held?

Q2

On 4 October 2026, two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (Godawan) were released into the wild for the first time. Where were they released?

Q3

'Octave 2026', held at the Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, from 1 to 4 October 2026, was organised by which body?

Q4

In September 2026, Rajasthan artist Chandra Shekhar Sain was honoured with the National Akademi Award at the Lalit Kala Akademi's 65th National Exhibition of Art. In which category did he win?

Q5

Under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj election schedule announced on 3 October 2026, elections are to be held for how many Zila Parishads?

Q6

The Surat–Udaipur Vande Bharat Express, whose inaugural run was on 2 October 2026, covers the journey in about how much time?

Q7

On 1 October 2026, the UPSC completed 100 years. The Public Service Commission was first set up in 1926 on the recommendation of which commission?

Q8

In September 2026, five entries were added to India's UNESCO Tentative List of World Heritage. Which one of the following was NOT among them?

Q9

In October 2026, which oil terminal was declared India's first plastic-free oil terminal?

Q10

The second edition of the ASEAN-India Maritime Exercise (AIME-2026), which began in September 2026, was held at:

Q11

In September-October 2026, the G20 Trade Ministers' Meeting under the United States' G20 Presidency was held in which city?

Q12

The Green Energy Corridor Phase-III, approved by the Union Cabinet in September 2026, aims to evacuate up to how much renewable energy by 2032-33?

Q13

India's first PRAMAAN certificates under the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme were handed over in September 2026. Which institution is the scheme's operating agency?

Q14

Consider the following statements about hockey at the Asian Games 2026 (October 2026): 1. India's women's team beat China 1-0 in the final to win their first Asian Games gold since 1982. 2. India's men's team beat Malaysia 5-1 in the final, defending their Asian Games title for the first time. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Q15

In October 2026, the RBI approved the appointment of Anup Bagchi as Managing Director and CEO of which bank?