In Current Affairs for 10 October 2026, we will see the latest national and international current affairs news. These important current affairs will be beneficial for your upcoming NDA, CDS, CDS OTA, AFCAT, TA, Agniveer Army, Agniveer Navy, Agniveer Air Force, Women Military Police, INET, MNS, ACC exams, SCO, PCSL, CAPF, and SSB interviews, and direct entries for Army, Navy, and Air Force like SSC Tech, TGC, JAG, NCC, TES, 10+2 Cadet. Download a PDF file about current events at the end of this article. Let us now see the Current Affairs.
Current Affairs 10 October 2026
World Mental Health Day 2026
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year to raise awareness about mental health and encourage access to appropriate support and treatment. In India, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare highlights the importance of making mental healthcare accessible and inclusive.
The theme for 2026 is “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change.” It emphasises listening to people who have experienced mental health conditions and incorporating their perspectives into healthcare policies, services and support systems.
Tele-MANAS: Digital Mental Health Support
India launched the Tele-MANAS (Tele Mental Health Assistance and Networking Across States) initiative on 10 October 2022. It provides free and confidential mental health counselling and guidance through a national toll-free helpline.
- Helpline number: 14416
- Launch date: 10 October 2022
- Purpose: Provide accessible mental health counselling and guidance
The service helps people seek support without necessarily visiting a healthcare facility in person.
National and District Mental Health Programmes
India provides mental healthcare through community-based services, healthcare facilities and digital platforms. Two important initiatives are the National Mental Health Programme (NMHP) and the District Mental Health Programme (DMHP).
According to the supplied material, DMHP has been approved for implementation in 767 districts, with support from State and Union Territory administrations under the National Health Mission.
Significance
World Mental Health Day encourages societies to reduce stigma, recognise the importance of psychological well-being and ensure that people can access appropriate care. Listening to lived experiences is particularly important for developing services that respond to the actual needs of individuals and communities.
Key Facts
- Date: 10 October
- 2026 theme: “Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change”
- Indian initiative: Tele-MANAS
- Helpline: 14416
- Tele-MANAS launch: 10 October 2022
- DMHP coverage: Approved for implementation in 767 districts, according to the supplied material
Pieter Coetze Sets Men’s 50m Backstroke Short-Course World Record
South African Swimmer Creates a New World Record
South African swimmer Pieter Coetze established a new world record in the men’s 50-metre backstroke short-course event at a World Aquatics World Cup meet in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, on 9 October 2026.
The 22-year-old completed the race in 22.09 seconds, surpassing the previous world record of 22.11 seconds set by Russia’s Kliment Kolesnikov in 2022. Coetze improved the existing mark by 0.02 seconds, recording the first world record of his career.
New South African and African Record
Coetze’s performance also bettered his own South African and African record of 22.51 seconds, which he had established six days earlier in Baku, Azerbaijan.
Russia’s Egor Kornev finished second with a time of 22.29 seconds, while Pavel Samusenko secured third place in 22.35 seconds.
Coetze is also a World and Commonwealth Games champion, making the achievement another milestone in his swimming career.
Difference Between Short-Course and Long-Course Swimming
Competitive swimming uses two standard pool lengths:
- Short-course: 25-metre pool
- Long-course: 50-metre pool
In a short-course race, swimmers make more turns than in the equivalent long-course event. Turning technique and underwater movement can therefore play an important role in performance.
Significance
Coetze’s achievement highlights the competitive standard of international swimming and establishes a new benchmark in the men’s 50m backstroke short-course event.
Key Facts
- Athlete: Pieter Coetze
- Country: South Africa
- Event: Men’s 50m backstroke, short-course
- Record time: 22.09 seconds
- Previous record: 22.11 seconds
- Previous record holder: Kliment Kolesnikov of Russia
- Venue: Tashkent, Uzbekistan
- Date: 9 October 2026
Rajgir to Host India–New Zealand Under-20 Rugby Series in October 2026
India and New Zealand Strengthen Sporting Cooperation
Rajgir in Bihar is scheduled to host an India–New Zealand Under-20 Rugby Series from 22 to 28 October 2026. The programme will feature New Zealand’s under-20 men’s and women’s teams, known as Tama Toa and Hine Toa, competing and training alongside their Indian counterparts.
The sporting exchange is associated with the completion of 100 years of sports cooperation between India and New Zealand.
Training, Matches and Cultural Exchange
The programme will include joint training sessions and cultural and community activities. Four competitive Rugby Sevens matches are scheduled for 27 October: one men’s match, one women’s match and two mixed matches involving players from both countries.
New Zealand’s touring group consists of 24 young Māori players and a six-member management team. The tour is funded by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
The Māori are the Indigenous Polynesian people of New Zealand, and their participation also provides a cultural dimension to the exchange.
What Is Rugby Sevens?
Rugby Sevens is a variant of rugby union in which each team fields seven players, compared with 15 players per team in the standard format. The game is played on a full-size rugby field, with shorter match durations that make it fast-paced and physically demanding.
Role of Rugby Governing Bodies
The Indian Rugby Football Union, headed by its president Rahul Bose, is India’s national governing body for rugby. New Zealand Rugby is the sport’s national governing body in New Zealand. Manu Albert is identified in the supplied material as the head of the visiting New Zealand Rugby delegation.
The October programme follows a coaching exchange held in Bhubaneswar in May 2026, when New Zealand Rugby coaches conducted workshops attended by 35 Indian coaches.
Importance of the Series
The exchange is intended to develop young players, support coaching development and deepen sporting and cultural connections between the two countries. Joint training and competitive fixtures also provide opportunities for players to gain international exposure.
Key Facts
- Host city: Rajgir, Bihar
- Dates: 22–28 October 2026
- Participating countries: India and New Zealand
- New Zealand teams: Tama Toa (men) and Hine Toa (women)
- Scheduled Rugby Sevens matches: Four
- Players in the New Zealand touring squads: 24 young Māori players
- Funding: New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade
Maharashtra to Host CyberTech Asia 2027 in Mumbai
CyberTech Asia to Make Its Indian Debut
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis announced on 9 October 2026 that CyberTech Asia 2027 would be held in Mumbai, marking the event’s first edition in India.
The two-day conference and exhibition is scheduled for 17–18 March 2027 at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai’s Bandra Kurla Complex (BKC).
Focus on Cybersecurity and Digital Innovation
CyberTech Asia is planned as a platform bringing together cybersecurity specialists, technology innovators, startups, industry representatives and other stakeholders from across Asia.
The event is expected to provide opportunities for participants to exchange ideas, discuss developments in digital security and explore emerging technologies. However, the supplied material does not provide a detailed programme or a confirmed list of participating organisations.
About CyberTech Global
CyberTech Global was established in 2014 and operates an international conference and exhibition platform focused on cybersecurity and digital innovation. Its events have been organised in locations around the world.
Hosting CyberTech Asia in Mumbai is expected to give Indian businesses, technology companies and startups an opportunity to engage with the wider Asian cybersecurity ecosystem.
Significance for India
As digital services and connected technologies expand, cybersecurity has become increasingly important for governments, businesses and individuals. An international event of this kind can support professional networking, technology partnerships and discussion of emerging digital threats and solutions.
Key Facts
- Event: CyberTech Asia 2027
- Announced by: Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Announcement date: 9 October 2026
- Dates: 17–18 March 2027
- Venue: Jio World Convention Centre, BKC, Mumbai
- Main focus: Cybersecurity and digital innovation
- CyberTech Global established: 2014
Supreme Court Forms Standing Committee on Judicial Well-Being
New Institutional Mechanism for Judicial Welfare
The Supreme Court of India has constituted a Standing Committee on Judicial Well-Being to address professional and personal challenges faced by judicial officers. The initiative aims to establish a continuing institutional framework for examining welfare concerns and developing appropriate measures.
According to the supplied material, Chief Justice of India Surya Kant formed the committee, which is chaired by Supreme Court Justice K. V. Viswanathan. The announcement coincided with World Mental Health Day.
Members of the Committee
The committee brings together expertise from judicial administration, psychiatry, psychology and legal research.
Its members are:
- Justice K. V. Viswanathan: Supreme Court judge and chairperson
- Dr Savita Malhotra: Former dean at PGIMER, Chandigarh, and professor in its Department of Psychiatry
- Rajat Mitra: Psychologist, director and co-founder of Swanchetan Society for Mental Health
- Mrinal Kanwar: Advocate-on-Record at the Supreme Court
- Aarti Singh: Registrar (Judicial), Centre for Research and Planning of the Supreme Court
Why Is Judicial Well-Being Important?
Judicial officers frequently work under demanding conditions. Heavy caseloads, extended working hours, difficult decisions, administrative pressures and emotionally challenging cases can affect their well-being.
An institutional approach can help identify these challenges and encourage practical responses rather than relying only on individual welfare initiatives.
Major Responsibilities
The committee has been assigned several important functions:
- Identify areas in which institutional intervention is needed.
- Improve coordination among stakeholders on judicial welfare matters.
- Develop guidelines to support judicial officers.
- Periodically review initiatives undertaken to improve judicial well-being.
- Establish a continuous process for addressing welfare issues.
Significance
The formation of the committee recognises that the well-being of judicial officers is an important institutional concern. A structured approach to welfare may help strengthen professional support systems and promote a healthier working environment within the judiciary.
Key Facts
- Institution: Supreme Court of India
- Committee: Standing Committee on Judicial Well-Being
- Chairperson: Justice K. V. Viswanathan
- Formed by: Chief Justice of India Surya Kant, according to the supplied material
- Key areas: Judicial welfare, institutional coordination, guidelines and periodic review
- Context: World Mental Health Day
Review Questions
1. What is the theme of World Mental Health Day 2026?
A. Mental Health for All
B. Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change
C. Building Resilient Communities
D. Access to Mental Healthcare for Everyone
Answer: B. Lived experiences heard: real voices, real change
2. What is the toll-free helpline number for India’s Tele-MANAS initiative?
A. 1098
B. 112
C. 14416
D. 14567
Answer: C. 14416
3. Which swimmer set a men’s 50m backstroke short-course world record of 22.09 seconds in October 2026?
A. Kliment Kolesnikov
B. Egor Kornev
C. Pieter Coetze
D. Pavel Samusenko
Answer: C. Pieter Coetze
4. Who held the previous men’s 50m backstroke short-course world record of 22.11 seconds?
A. Pieter Coetze
B. Kliment Kolesnikov
C. Egor Kornev
D. Caeleb Dressel
Answer: B. Kliment Kolesnikov
5. Which city in Bihar is scheduled to host the India–New Zealand Under-20 Rugby Series in October 2026?
A. Patna
B. Gaya
C. Bhagalpur
D. Rajgir
Answer: D. Rajgir
6. How many players from each team participate in Rugby Sevens?
A. 5
B. 7
C. 11
D. 15
Answer: B. 7
7. Where will CyberTech Asia 2027 be held?
A. Bengaluru International Exhibition Centre
B. Bharat Mandapam, New Delhi
C. Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
D. HITEX Exhibition Centre, Hyderabad
Answer: C. Jio World Convention Centre, Mumbai
8. On which dates is CyberTech Asia 2027 scheduled to take place?
A. 17–18 March 2027
B. 10–11 January 2027
C. 22–23 April 2027
D. 5–6 June 2027
Answer: A. 17–18 March 2027
9. Who is the chairperson of the Supreme Court’s Standing Committee on Judicial Well-Being, according to the supplied material?
A. Justice Surya Kant
B. Justice K. V. Viswanathan
C. Justice Sanjiv Khanna
D. Justice B. R. Gavai
Answer: B. Justice K. V. Viswanathan
10. Which programme provides free and confidential mental health counselling in India through the helpline 14416?
A. Ayushman Bharat
B. National Health Mission
C. Tele-MANAS
D. National Digital Health Mission
Answer: C. Tele-MANAS
