In Monthly Current Affairs for 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.
Monthly Current Affairs October 2026
UPSC Completes 100 Years
- The Union Public Service Commission will complete its 100th year in India on 1 October 2026, which will be a century of the establishment of the first Indian Public Service Commission in 1926.
- The organization started off as an advisory commission through the Government of India Act, 1919 structure and developed into the Federal Public Service Commission and finally became the UPSC after the implementation of the Constitution in 1950.
- Currently, the organization is a constitutional body with powers from Articles 315 to 323.
- The beginning of the merit system for recruiting members of the civil service in India can be traced back to the ICS (Indian Civil Service) examination of 1855 that replaced nomination with open competitive selection process. The examinations used to take place in London, causing great difficulties for Indians to participate in them.
- Under the provisions of the Government of India Act of 1919, a Public Service Commission was to be established. A report was prepared by the Lee Commission, headed by Lord Lee, to establish a Public Service Commission in 1924.
- As a result, the first Public Service Commission was established on 1 October 1926, consisting of the Chairman Sir Ross Barker and Four Members.
- The Government of India Act of 1935 made provisions for a Federal Public Service Commission and Provincial Public Service Commissions. The Federal Public Service Commission started operating in 1937.
- After India gained independence, it became the Union Public Service Commission on 26 January 1950, obtaining constitutional status under the Constitution of India.
Mansouri Becomes Morocco’s First Woman PM
- King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed Fatima Zahra El Mansouri as the Prime Minister on 29 September 2026, thus becoming the first woman to serve in this capacity.
- This happened following the elections of 23 September 2026 in which her party, the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM), got the most votes getting 97 out of 395 seats in the House of Representatives.
- The appointee is 50 years of age and previously was Morocco’s Minister of National Planning, Urban Planning, Housing and City Policy and mayor of Marrakech.
- She is a senior member of the Authenticity and Modernity Party (PAM).
- This happened because the PAM got the greatest number of seats in the parliamentary elections in 2026.
- Country: Morocco
- Capital: Rabat
- Head of State: King Mohammed VI
- New Head of Government: Fatima Zahra El Mansouri
- Legislature: Parliament of Morocco
- Lower house: House of Representatives
India Women’s Recurve Archery Team Wins Maiden Asian Games Gold
- India made history in the 19th Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games by winning its first ever gold medal in the women’s recurve archery team category when it beat South Korea 5-3 in the gold medal final.
- Ankita Bhakat, Kirti Sharma and Kumkum Mohod did well against the Korean combination of Kang Chaeyoung, Oh Yejin and Lee Yunji.
- This was after India claimed a bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games in the women’s recurve archery team category.
- Both India and South Korea were tied at 54 and 56 points respectively in the initial two sets. The third set turned the game around owing to the trouble that South Korea faced in their shooting.
- South Korea managed to shoot three consecutive arrows in an 8, with 52 being their total in the set. India seized the moment and shot for 55 to win the set.
- India booked its berth for the gold-medal match following its 5-1 win against China in the semifinal game.
- This was the first time that India qualified for the Asian Games women’s recurve team final match. Afterward, India managed to clinch the gold medal following a win against South Korea in the gold medal match with a score of 5-3.
Lovlina Borgohain Wins Asian Games 2026 Gold
- The Indian boxers scored in the women’s 75kg boxing competition, where Lovlina Borgohain bagged a gold medal at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games, which took place in 2026 on October 2. Borgohain defeated Chinese Bao Ziyi to claim the gold medal by winning the match 5-0.
- This gold medal was won on Borgohain’s 29th birthday, thus making it one of the most memorable days for the Indian boxer. Borgohain is the second Indian women boxer who won the Asian Games gold medal after MC Mary Kom won the title in 2014.
- Counter-punching technique was chosen by Borgohain against the aggressive opponent – Bao Ziyi. Although Bao started strong and pressured in the first round, Borgohain countered well, thus winning the first round 3-2.Borgohain performed better round by round, she won the second round 4-1 and had a lead of 2-0. In the third round, Borgohain continued counter-punching Bao’s attacks.Finally, Borgohain won the fourth round 5-0 to win the match
- This was Lovlina Borgohain’s success story of being the second Indian female boxer after MC Mary Kom who has secured Asian Games gold medal.Mary Kom bagged gold medal in women’s 51 kg category in the 2014 Asian Games held at Incheon. Borgohain clinched the women’s 75kg gold medal in 2026.
- Lovelina Borgohain before securing gold medal, secured her place in the semifinals after defeating Kazakhstan’s Natalya Bogdanova 3-2 in a tight game.This was the first time any Indian female boxer managed to secure consecutive semifinals of Asian Games. She had reached to the final of women’s 75kg category at Hangzhou 2022, where she secured silver medal.
- World Boxing had reported Borgohain’s 3-2 victory over Natalya Bogdanova in semifinal and finalized women’s 75kg final between Borgohain and China’s Bao Ziyi.
India Beat Pakistan to Win Asian Games 2026 Men’s Cricket Gold
- India secured gold in the men’s cricket final of the Asian Games 2026 by beating Pakistan in the Asian Games held at Korogi Sports Park in Nisshin, Japan. India scored 211/6 in 20 overs owing to significant contributions from Abhishek Sharma and Tilak Varma.
- Despite putting up an impressive effort in chasing the target set by India, Pakistan failed to make it, as the Indian bowling unit performed well during the last few overs of the match.
- Match played between India and Pakistan.
- Indian team posted the huge total of 211 and loose 6 wickets.
- Pakistan just short of 19 runs to chase the Gold medal.
- Final was match played at the Korogi Sports Park, Nisshin, Japan.
- Tilak Verma and Abhishek Sharma scored half centuries for the India.
- Hasan Nawaz was lone batter for the Pakistan who scored 96 runs.
- India: Gold
- Pakistan: Silver
- Sri-Lanka: Bronze
COP31 2026
- The 31st Conference of the Parties (COP31) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) will take place in Antalya, Türkiye, from November 9 to 20, 2026.
- This event will witness the participation of delegates from almost all countries to discuss global measures for combating climate change in terms of its mitigation, adaptation, financing, and implementing the Paris Agreement.
- COP31 will also comprise CMP21, the 21st session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Kyoto Protocol, and CMA8, the eighth session of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties to the Paris Agreement.
- The minister of environment, urbanization and climate change for Turkey, Murat Kurum will be the president of COP31.
- Chris Bowen, Australia’s Minister for Climate Change and Energy, will chair the official climate negotiations. This is in line with the agreement reached between Türkiye and Australia since both countries had been bidding for the hosting of COP31.
- The main focus of COP31 will be the implementation of the Paris Agreement which seeks to enhance global climate response and ensure that global temperatures will not rise above 2°C and work toward keeping the temperature rise below 1.5°C.
- India hosted the COP8, which was held in New Delhi in 2002. During the meeting, the Delhi Ministerial Declaration was adopted. This declaration placed emphasis on sustainable development and the implementation of climate obligations, taking into account the different capacities of developed and developing nations.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team Wins Asian Games Gold
- The Indian Women’s Hockey Team won the gold medal at the Asian Games on 2 October 2026 in Nagoya, Japan. India defeated China 1-0 in the final and secured its first women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games in 44 years, after the previous title in 1982.
- The Asian Games are a continental multi-sport event governed by the Olympic Council of Asia. Hockey has been a regular medal sport in the Asian Games programme, with India, China, Japan, South Korea and Malaysia among the notable teams in women’s competition.
- Lalremsiami scored the only goal in the 10th minute with a reverse-stick strike. Goalkeeper Savita Punia made key saves, including a penalty stroke stop, to preserve India’s 1-0 lead against the defending champions.
- The gold medal secured direct qualification for the Indian women’s hockey team for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Hockey India announced a cash award of ₹11 lakh for each player and ₹5.5 lakh for each support staff member of the winning squad.
2026 Nobel Medicine Prize
- The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for 2026 was awarded jointly to Karl Deisseroth, Peter Hegemann and Georg Nagel in recognition of their discoveries regarding light-gated ion channels and optogenetics.
- Their research findings have revolutionised neuroscience by providing a means to manipulate the functions of individual neurons with light.
| Laureate | Institution | Major Scientific Contributions |
| Karl Deisseroth | Stanford University & Howard Hughes Medical Institute, USA, | Utilization of channelrhodopsin as a light-switch for neurons |
| Peter Hegemann | Humboldt University of Berlin, Germany | Identification of light-sensitive channelrhodopsin proteins in algae |
| Georg Nagel | University of Würzburg, Germany | Some fundamental aspects of channelrhodopsin identification |
Asian Games 2026
- India finished their Asian Games 2026 with a 4th place performance after achieving an impressive medal haul on the 15th day. The team managed to secure 85 medals, including 21 gold medals, 27 silver medals, and 37 bronze medals, and thereby overtook Uzbekistan who managed to win 21 gold medals but fewer silver medals than India.
- India won gold medals in archery, golf, wrestling, cricket, and men’s hockey.
- India won gold medals in archery, golf, wrestling, cricket, and men’s hockey.
| Rank | Country | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
| 1 | China | 169 | 89 | 83 | 341 |
| 2 | Japan | 83 | 95 | 91 | 269 |
| 3 | South Korea | 39 | 43 | 68 | 150 |
| 4 | India | 21 | 27 | 37 | 85 |
| 5 | Uzbekistan | 21 | 25 | 24 | 70 |
| 6 | Iran | 19 | 18 | 15 | 52 |
| 7 | Thailand | 18 | 13 | 21 | 52 |
| 8 | Kazakhstan | 12 | 24 | 48 | 84 |
Nobel Prize in Physics 2026
- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences has awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Physics to physicist Francis Halzen for his pioneering contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos of astrophysical origin.
- The prize citation recognises Halzen for his decisive contributions to the IceCube Neutrino Observatory and the discovery of high-energy neutrinos originating from astrophysical sources.
- Francis Halzen is particularly known for his important role in developing the scientific concept behind the IceCube Neutrino Observatory.
- Neutrinos are extremely light and electrically neutral subatomic particles. They are often described as “ghost particles” because they interact very weakly with matter. Enormous numbers of neutrinos pass through the human body every second without producing any noticeable effect.
- High-energy neutrinos provide scientists with an important way to study some of the most powerful phenomena and objects in the universe. These include:
- Active galactic nuclei
- Supermassive black holes
- Exploding stars
- Gamma-ray bursts
- Other high-energy cosmic accelerators
- The study of these particles helps scientists investigate energetic processes occurring far beyond Earth and provides valuable information about the high-energy universe.
Doha Receives OCA Flag as Host Responsibility for 2030 Asian Games
- The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) flag was formally handed over during the closing ceremony of the 20th Asian Games Aichi-Nagoya 2026 in Nagoya, Japan, on 4 October 2026.
- The handover formally recognised Qatar’s responsibility for hosting the 21st Asian Games in Doha in 2030.
- Qatar has also unveiled the official Doha 2030 identity and motto, “The Games We Live For,” as preparations for the next edition of the continental multi-sport event begin.
- The slogan “The Games We Live For” forms a key part of the Doha 2030 identity. The new visual identity incorporates the OCA’s sun logo into the letter “O” of the word “DOHA”, connecting the host city with the Asian Games Movement while reflecting Qatar’s heritage and its vision for future generations.
- The 2026 Asian Games concluded on October 4, 2026. During the closing ceremony, OCA President Sheikh Joaan officially declared the Games closed and invited Asian athletes to return to Doha for the next edition in 2030.
Mahesh Kakde Wins 2026 Ramanujan Prize
- Indian mathematician Mahesh Kakde, a professor at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bengaluru, has been awarded the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries for his outstanding contributions to number theory.
- The award recognises Kakde’s important research in algebraic number theory, particularly his work on Iwasawa theory, the Gross-Stark conjecture and the Brumer-Stark conjecture.
- The Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians from Developing Countries is awarded to outstanding mathematicians working in developing countries.
- It is jointly awarded by:
- International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP)
- International Mathematical Union (IMU)
- The award is meant for mathematicians below the age of 45 who have made significant contributions to mathematical research while working in developing countries.
- The prize was established in 2005 and carries a cash award of USD 10,000.
- Number theory is the branch of mathematics concerned with numbers and their properties.
- Algebraic number theory goes a step further and uses algebraic methods to study numbers and the structures associated with them.
- It seeks to understand questions such as:
- How numbers behave in different mathematical systems
- Relationships between equations and number structures
- Patterns involving prime numbers
- Properties of algebraic numbers
- Links between different areas of mathematics
- One of Kakde’s major areas of research is Iwasawa theory.
- In simple terms, Iwasawa theory studies how certain mathematical properties change when number systems are extended into increasingly complex structures.
Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026
- The Nobel Prize in Chemistry 2026 has been awarded jointly to Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai for their pioneering contributions to asymmetric organic synthesis.
- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences honoured the two scientists “for the discovery of non-linear effects and autocatalysis in asymmetric organic synthesis.”
- Both laureates will share the prize equally, with each receiving a one-half share of the 2026 Chemistry Nobel Prize.
- Their discoveries are important for:
- Designing more selective chemical reactions
- Developing safer and more effective medicines
- Manufacturing complex organic compounds
- Understanding the origin and amplification of molecular chirality
- Advancing modern catalytic chemistry
Djokovic Wins Seventh China Open Title
- Serbian tennis legend Novak Djokovic won the 2026 China Open men’s singles title in Beijing on 6 October 2026, securing his seventh title at the tournament and the 102nd tour-level trophy of his career.
- The final ended unexpectedly when Australia’s Alex de Minaur retired because of a groin injury early in the second set. At the time, Djokovic was leading 7-6(3), 0-1.
- With this victory, Djokovic improved his remarkable China Open record to 34-0 across seven appearances.
- He has now won the tournament every time he has entered, underlining his dominance at the Beijing event.
- The 2026 title also made Djokovic the oldest ATP 500 champion since the category was introduced in 2009, achieving the feat at the age of 39 years.
- The China Open is a professional tennis tournament held in Beijing, People’s Republic of China.
- The men’s event is part of the ATP Tour and is classified as an ATP 500 tournament.
- The ATP 500 category was introduced in 2009 and awards 500 ranking points to the singles champion.
Alcaraz Wins Japan Open for Second Straight Title
- Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz won the 2026 Japan Open men’s singles title in Tokyo on 6 October 2026, defeating Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic in straight sets.
- Alcaraz won the final 7-6(4), 6-4, successfully defending his title and claiming his second consecutive Japan Open crown.
- The Japan Open Tennis Championships is a professional ATP Tour event held in Tokyo, Japan.
- The men’s singles tournament is played on hard courts and is one of the important Asian events on the ATP calendar.
- The Japan Open victory was Alcaraz’s third title of the 2026 season.
- His notable titles in 2026 included:
- Australian Open
- Japan Open
- One additional ATP title during the season
- With the Tokyo triumph, Alcaraz increased his career title tally to 27.
Anne Carson Awarded Nobel Prize in Literature 2026
- Canadian writer, Anne Carson who won several awards in her lifetime, has been chosen as the recipient of the Nobel Prize in the Literature for the year 2026 for her unique literary creations which have connections with the classical literary heritage.
- The Nobel Committee said about Carson, “For her pioneering and original oeuvre, characterized by her playful interplay with the classical tradition, which has created new forms of literature.”
- Anne Carson was born on 21 June 1950 in Toronto, Canada. She is a famous poet, essayist, translator and a literary critic of classical literature.
- The Nobel Prize in Literature 2026 was awarded to Anne Carson for the following reason: “for her daring and innovative literary production, which through playful interaction with the classical tradition, has developed new forms of contemporary literature.”
Navi Pillay Wins 2026 Nobel Peace Prize
- Navanethem “Navi” Pillay was awarded the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize on 9 October 2026. The South African jurist was recognised for efforts to promote peace and international law. Jørgen Watne Frydnes, chair of the Norwegian Nobel Committee, announced the award in Oslo.
- The Nobel Peace Prize is one of six Nobel Prizes established under the will of Swedish inventor Alfred Nobel. It is awarded by the Norwegian Nobel Committee, whose five members are appointed by the Norwegian Parliament.
- The first Nobel Prizes were awarded in 1901. The committee cited Pillay’s work to strengthen international legal institutions and support the prosecution of war crimes and genocide.
- The 2026 prize carries a gold medal and 12 million Swedish kronor, equivalent to approximately US$1.2 million. The ceremony is scheduled to take place in Oslo on 10 December, the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death in 1896.
- Pillay served as a judge of the International Criminal Court and as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights from 2008 to 2014. The International Criminal Court, established by the Rome Statute, is a permanent court that prosecutes individuals for genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes and the crime of aggression.
Jewar Airport to Be Renamed Narendra Modi International Airport
- The Uttar Pradesh Cabinet approved a proposal on 9 October 2026 to rename Noida International Airport at Jewar as “Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar”.
- Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath announced the decision in Lucknow after a Cabinet meeting. The airport is located at Jewar in Gautam Buddha Nagar district, Uttar Pradesh.
- The Cabinet’s proposal names the airport after Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The stated purpose is to honour his 25-year journey of public service as head of a government. The proposed name is “Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar”; the existing name is Noida International Airport.
- Approval by the Uttar Pradesh Cabinet is a state-level step in the naming process. The final decision on naming or renaming an airport in India rests with the Union Cabinet. The approved name is subsequently notified in the Gazette of India, the official publication used for government notifications.
- Airport names in India may be associated with a city, region, public figure or other designated name. The Union Cabinet makes the final decision on an airport’s name or a proposed change to it. Gazette notification formalises the approved name for official use.
- The proposed name includes both “Noida” and “Jewar”, linking the airport to its wider regional identity and its location. The renaming proposal concerns the airport’s name; the facts provided do not specify a change to its ownership, location or operational structure.
Sunil Bharti Mittal to Receive France’s Highest Civilian Honour
- Sunil Bharti Mittal, the founder and chairman of Bharti Enterprises, is set to be conferred with the honor of Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor by the French President Emmanuel Macron. On 28th of October, 2026, Sunil Mittal will receive the honor at the French Embassy in New Delhi.
- This honor is awarded in recognition of the contributions of the Mittal towards fostering economic relations between India and France in the field of telecommunications and satellite communications.
- As per Bharti Enterprises, Mittal’s journey in France started in 1992 when the French company Compagnie Générale des Eaux entered into a collaboration with him for introducing mobile telephony in India.
- The Legion of Honor (Légion d’honneur) is the highest honor of France. The award is awarded for distinguished services in civil and military careers.
- Napoleon Bonaparte created the award on 19 May 1802 when he was the First Consul of France. It honors individual merit regardless of the social and professional standing of individuals. The award is made to French citizens and foreigners for their distinguished services to France.
- The order has five classes of distinction as follows,
- Chevalier (Knight) – the lowest class of the order
- Officier (Officer)
- Commandeur (Commander)
- Grand Officier (Grand Officer)
- Grand-Croix (Grand Cross) – the highest class of the order
ICC Player of the Month
- India skipper Shubman Gill has bagged his fifth ICC Player of the Month award to add further to his own record in the men’s section. The accolade comes in light of the fantastic performances of Gill in the ODI series against the West Indies, including a hundred and a double century.
- He is now on par with Hayley Matthews, the captain of the West Indies women’s team, who has five such awards.
| Award number | Month and Year |
| 1st | January 2023 |
| 2nd | September 2023 |
| 3rd | February 2025 |
| 4th | July 2025 |
| 5th | The most recent award following the West Indies ODI series |
- India’s all-rounder Shafali Verma has been selected by the International Cricket Council (ICC) as the ‘Women’s Player of the Month’ for September 2026 following her excellent showings in the Women’s Asia Cup and the Asian Games held in Nagoya, Japan.
- She has managed to score 360 runs in seven T20I matches with an average of 72 at a strike rate of 184.61 and has scored six wickets. This is the second such ICC monthly award for Shafali, who won the award in November 2025 following India’s Women’s Cricket World Cup success.
Hall and Woodford Win 2026 Economics Nobel
- American economists Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford received the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel on 12 October 2026.
- The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences awarded the prize for research on the microeconomic foundations of macroeconomic stabilisation. Hall is affiliated with Stanford University, while Woodford is affiliated with Columbia University.
- Hall and Woodford developed macroeconomic models built on microeconomic foundations. These foundations examine how the decisions of individual households and businesses shape economy-wide outcomes.
- Their work examines how stabilisation policy affects business cycles, including fluctuations in economic activity. The prize money of 12 million Swedish kronor is shared equally between the two laureates.
- Microeconomic foundations connect the choices of households and firms with aggregate variables such as output, employment and prices. New Keynesian models incorporate these foundations alongside factors such as price rigidities, which can affect how quickly prices respond to economic changes.
- The prize’s formal name is the Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory of Alfred Nobel. Sweden’s central bank established it in 1968, and it was first awarded in 1969. It was not among the five original Nobel Prizes set out in Alfred Nobel’s 1895 will.
Henley Passport Index 2026
- According to the October 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index that came out on October 9, India is ranked at number 84, along with Algeria and Mauritania.
- Despite the improvement from number 85 as was the case with the index published in October 2025, the number of countries where Indians can go without getting their visas beforehand has decreased from 57 to 55.
- The Main Categories Are
- Visa-free entry: no visa is required for an eligible visit, however, there are other conditions for entering this country.
- Visa on arrival: visa or permission is needed after arrival according to the requirements of the destination country.
- Electronic Travel Authorisation (eTA): it is an electronic travel authorization which may be needed by eligible travelers before departure.
- Electronic visa (e-visa): this visa type usually requires pre-trip approval via the internet.
| Country or Group | October 2026 Ranking Access | Score |
| Singapore | 1st | 193 |
| Japan | 2nd | 188 |
| South Korea | 2nd | 188 |
| United Arab Emirates | 2nd | 188 |
| India | 84th | 55 |
UNESCO Adds Three Indian Sites to World Heritage Tentative List
- Three new sites have been added to India’s Tentative List by UNESCO’s World Heritage Centre, marking an essential step toward formal nomination for World Heritage status.
- The newly included sites cover key geological and archaeological landscapes, namely the Karst-mud-volcano Complex of Baratang and Andaman Subduction Volcanoes in Andaman & Nicobar Islands and the Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape in Chhattisgarh.
| Property | State/Union Territory | Type | Significance |
| Karst-Mud-Volcano Complex of Baratang | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Natural | Limestone Caves, Karst features & Mud Volcanoes |
| Andaman Subduction Volcanoes | Andaman and Nicobar Islands | Natural | Volcanic geological formations, Tectonic processes & Biodiversity |
| Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape | Chhattisgarh | Cultural | Archaeological site, Historic Trade Routes & Multi-faith heritage landscape |
France Confirms First Human Case of Shamonda Virus
- French health authorities confirmed the country’s first human case of Shamonda virus on 22 October 2026. The patient died after contracting the virus. Shamonda virus is an insect-borne virus primarily associated with livestock, particularly cattle, and is transmitted by biting midges.
- The confirmed case was the first reported human infection in France. Before this case, Shamonda virus was considered non-transmissible to humans. French authorities stated on 22 October 2026 that they saw no risk to the general population at that stage.
- The leading hypothesis was that the patient had been infected in eastern France, where the virus had circulated among animals during spring and summer 2026.
- Shamonda virus belongs to the genus Orthobunyavirus, within the family Peribunyaviridae. Orthobunyaviruses are arthropod-borne viruses, also called arboviruses, and are transmitted between hosts by arthropods.
- Biting midges are the vector identified for Shamonda virus. Its known animal hosts include livestock, with cattle particularly affected
28th Charles Correa Gold Medal 2026
- A Kochi-based architecture student won the 28th Charles Correa Gold Medal in Mumbai on October 22, 2026, for the undergraduate thesis project titled “Energy Commons: Reimagining energy infrastructure as a place for civic engagement.”
- The annual award recognises outstanding undergraduate architectural thesis projects addressing challenges in the built environment. The 2026 edition focused on “Equitability through Design”, with the guiding question, “Who are we designing for?” The winner received a cash prize of ₹25,000.
- The Charles Correa Gold Medal was initiated in 1998 by Indian architect Charles Correa. The Charles Correa Foundation (CCF) has administered the award annually since its inception.
- Since 2022, the medal has been open to architecture colleges across India. Before this expansion, eligibility was limited to colleges in Mumbai and Goa.
- Participating colleges must be approved by the Council of Architecture (COA).
Ashoke Sen Wins Oskar Klein Medal 2026
- The Indian theoretical physicist, Ashoke Sen, has been honored with the Oskar Klein Medal 2026, and he has become the first Indian physicist to receive such an international award.
- This prize is awarded in recognition of his pathbreaking work on string theory, in which he has made groundbreaking work in S-duality, black hole entropy counting, and string field theory.
- Oskar Klein Medal is an annual international award of physics that has been in existence since 1988. It is awarded annually by the Stockholm University and the Nobel Committee for Physics of the Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences. The award is named after Oskar Klein, a renowned Swedish theoretical physicist.
Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award
- The Assam Cabinet has recommended a national-level award in honor of the late Bharat Ratna Dr. Bhupen Hazarika for individuals who have made significant contributions to the fields of music and culture.
- The first recipient of the award would be singer Usha Mangeshkar, owing to her contributions to Indian music and connection with Hazarika’s musical creations.
- The Assam Cabinet has also increased the amount of money that comes with the Mahapurush Srimanta Sankardev Award and finalized the list of Assam civilian awards for 2025.
- Srimanta Sankardev was an Assamese saint, scholar, poet, playwright, and social reformer belonging to 15th-16th centuries.
- He was a significant contributor to the Neo-Vaishnavite movement in Assam.
Youngest Female International Master in Chess
- Bodhana Sivanandan, a British chess player who is 11 years old with Indian descent, earned the title of the youngest ever female International Master (IM) on 23rd of October 2026.
- This was following her earning of the last IM norm after beating Viktoria Johansson of Sweden in the final round at the European Club Cup held in Budva, Montenegro.
- International Master is one of the most common titles granted by the International Federation of Chess, whose acronym is FIDE. This title is open, that is, all players regardless of their gender can obtain it. The higher title than the International Master title is the Grandmaster (GM).
- FIDE offers both general titles as well as distinct women’s titles. A woman may earn any one of the two types of titles.
Pankaj Advani Wins 29th World Title
- Indian cueist Pankaj Advani won his 29th career world title at the WBL World Billiards Championships on 23 October 2026. He defeated England’s Robert Hall 1,906–1,206 in the final, held in Great Wyrley, England. The five-hour match saw Advani recover from a deficit of more than 300 points.
- Advani’s victory was his 21st world championship title in billiards. He received the John Roberts Trophy, named after the 19th-century English billiards champion John Roberts Sr. Advani made a break of 587 in the final, the highest break of the championship.
- A break is a series of points scored during a player’s visit to the table before the turn ends. Advani reached the final after defeating defending champion David Causier 1,607–1,271 in the semi-final. In the quarter-final, he beat Sourav Kothari 1,134–575.
- Advani competes in billiards and snooker, two cue sports played on a baize-covered table with cues and balls. His 29 career world titles include titles across the two disciplines; the 2026 championship added to his billiards title tally. Shruthi L’s win gave India the women’s title at the same championship.
Brazil : Lula Wins Fourth Presidential Term
- President of Brazil Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva wins a re-election by securing a win against right-wing opponent Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential runoff election held on 25 October 2026. Lula gets 51.79% of all valid votes compared to 48.21% obtained by Bolsonaro. Lula’s win gives him a fourth term as president in his political life.
- This is a clear indication that the presidential race was extremely tough and competitive due to differences within Brazil. Lula’s next term starts on 5 January 2027 and faces many difficulties in Congress, economic policy, environmental protection, and foreign affairs.
- Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is a Brazilian politician and an important personality within Brazil’s Workers’ Party. Prior to entering politics, he was a metal worker and labor union activist.
- His first presidential tenure began in January 2003. He has been president twice consecutively till December 2010, returned to the presidency in January 2023, and again managed to become president due to his success in the 2026 elections; he will now start his second term in January 2027.
| Aspect | Information |
| Winner of the presidential election | Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva |
| Party | Labor Party (PT) |
| Top challenger | Flávio Bolsonaro |
| Opponent’s political party | Liberal Party (PL) |
| Date of the elections | 25 October 2026 |
| Percentage of votes that Lula received | 51.79% |
| Vote percentage for Bolsonaro | 48.21% |
| Number of votes received | Over 128.2 million votes |
| Inauguration of new term | 5 January 2027 |
| Organizing body | Superior Electoral Court (TSE) |
Ahmedabad To Host 2029 World Weightlifting Championships
- Ahmedabad, a city in the state of Gujarat, is set to host the 2029 World Weightlifting Championships and will be the first time the country will do so for the international competition.
- The International Weightlifting Federation made the announcement after the Executive Board Meeting held in Ningbo, China, on 25 October 2026.
- This step will enhance the hosting reputation of the state as a destination for hosting sporting events. Gandhinagar hosted the 2026 Asian Weightlifting Championships, and Ahmedabad will host the Commonwealth Games in 2030.
- The World Weightlifting Championships are organized by the International Weightlifting Federation.
- 1891 – First World Weightlifting Championships took place
- 1987 – Women’s World Championships started
- 1991 – First men and women championship took place
- 2025 – World championships were held in the Førde, Norway
- 2026 – Ningbo, China will host the world championship from 27th October to 8th of November
Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy Win Individual Gold
- The Indian grandmasters made a good impression at the European Chess Club Cup 2026 in Montenegro, where Nihal Sarin and Koneru Humpy won gold medals in the men’s and women’s sections, respectively.
- Sarin played for Novy Bor Chess Club and collected five points out of six, while Humpy was a member of the team of Cercle d’Echecs de Monte-Carlo that won the title of the team champion among the women.
- The second silver medalist was Harikrishna, who won 5 out of 6 games and obtained silver in individual competition on Board 3. Murali won bronze on Board 2 in the games played for Montenegro club Team Electroprivreda, which ranked 11th in the team classification.
- The European Chess Club Cup is an important team chess tournament conducted under the European Chess Union. Teams from the clubs comprising grandmasters and other titled players participate in the tournament in different boards.
| Player | Club | Board | Medal | Points |
| Nihal Sarin | Novy Bor Chess Club | 2 | Gold | 5/6 |
| Pentala Harikrishna | Novy Bor Chess Club | 3 | Silver | 5/6 |
| Karthikeyan Murali | Team Electroprivreda | 2 | Bronze | 4.5/6 |
| Arjun Erigaisi | Club team not specified in the report | 1 | Fourth place | Not specified |
Messi Got 2026 Princess of Asturias Award
- The 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports was conferred upon Argentinian footballer Lionel Messi in Oviedo, Spain on 23rd October 2026.
- Messi is the first ever footballer to be honored with this award as an individual since before this, the national football team of Spain was bestowed with this award in 2010 and then players Iker Casillas and Xavi Hernandez were awarded this honor together in 2012.
- Messi was chosen as the winner of the 2026 award on 3 June 2026 from a total of 27 nominations of 12 different nationalities.
- They took into consideration his exceptional sporting career, consistency, humility, dedication to teamwork, and continuous charitable activity towards ensuring that disadvantaged children have access to education and healthcare.
Yuki Bhambri Wins Almaty Open Doubles Title
- India’s Yuki Bhambri and American Ryan Seggerman won the men’s doubles title at the ATP 250 Almaty Open in Almaty, Kazakhstan, on 25 October 2026. They defeated top seeds Lucas Miedler and Neil Oberleitner of Austria in the final.
- Bhambri and Seggerman won 7-6(3), 6-7(1), [10-2] in a final lasting one hour and 26 minutes. The pair won the first-set tiebreak 7-3, lost the second-set tiebreak 1-7 and took the deciding match tiebreak 10-2.
- The title was Bhambri’s first ATP Tour title of the 2026 season and his fifth career doubles crown on the tour. The 34-year-old had earlier competed at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan without winning a medal.
- The ATP Tour is the men’s professional tennis circuit governed by the Association of Tennis Professionals. ATP 250 is a tournament category on the tour; the number refers to the ranking points awarded to the singles champion.
Ballon d’Or 2026
- The 70th Ballon d’Or 2026 ceremony took place at the Palladium Theatre in London, and it was the first time outside France. England and Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane won the Men’s Ballon d’Or, and he finished ahead of Kylian Mbappe and Lamine Yamal. Also, Spain’s Alexia Putellas won the Women’s Ballon d’Or for the third time.
- The Ballon d’Or ceremony recognized several other awards, such as best young players, best goalkeeper, coaches and clubs, alongside with goal scoring and humanitarian work.
- 33-year-old England and Bayern Striker Harry Kane won the 2026 men’s Ballon d’Or. In another dominant season with the dominant German club, Kane scored 61 goals across all competitions for Bayern, including 36 goals in 31 Bundesliga games.
- In the Women’s Ballon d’Or 2026, Alexia Putellas emerged as the winner.
- Putellas, an attacking midfielder for London City Lionesses (formerly Barcelona) and the Spanish national team, returned to the podium three years after winning the award twice in 2021 and 2022.
Bihar Museum Ranks 9th Globally
- The Bihar Museum in Patna ranks ninth among all museums worldwide and first among all museums in Asia according to The World’s 100 Best Museums 2026, authored by Worth a Journey, based in Germany.
- The Bihar Museum is the only Indian entry on the list of the world’s top 100 museums in 2026. The museum beats the Met Museum in New York, which ranks tenth, and the Louvre Museum in Paris, which ranks 31st.
- Bihar Museum is a modern museum situated on Nehru Path in Patna and established to conserve and showcase the cultural heritage of Bihar. The museum is an architectural design of Fumihiko Maki, winner of the Pritzker Architecture Prize, along with the Mumbai-based firm of Opolis Architects.
- In addition, the newly opened Bihar Museum supplements Patna Museum, which was founded in 1917. They both feature different collections, which allow tourists to learn about the region’s development from the perspective of archaeology, art and culture. There are also plans to construct an underground passage between the two museums.
| Rank | Name of the Museum | Location |
| 1 | Museo Nacional de Antropología | Mexico City, Mexico |
| 2 | Museo del Prado | Madrid, Spain |
| 3 | Louisiana Museum of Modern Art | Humlebaek, Denmark |
| 4 | State Hermitage Museum | Saint Petersburg, Russia |
| 5 | Kunsthistorisches Museum | Vienna, Austria |
| 9 | Bihar Museum | Patna, India |
| 10 | Metropolitan Museum of Art | New York, USA |
| 31 | Louvre Museum | Paris, France |
Review Questions
- On which date did the first Public Service Commission in India come into
existence?
A) 26 January 1950
B) 1 October 1926
C) 15 August 1947
D) 1 April 1937
Answer: B) 1 October 1926 - Who was the first Chairman of the Public Service Commission established in 1926?
A) Lord Lee
B) Sir Ross Barker
C) Sir Stafford Cripps
D) Lord Curzon
Answer: B) Sir Ross Barker - Who among the following was NOT a member of India’s women’s recurve archery
team that won gold at the 2026 Asian Games?
A) Ankita Bhakat
B) Kirti Sharma
C) Kumkum Mohod
D) Lovlina Borgohain
Answer: D) Lovlina Borgohain - Lovlina Borgohain won the gold medal in which category at the 2026 Asian
Games?
A) Women’s 51 kg boxing
B) Women’s 60 kg boxing
C) Women’s 69 kg boxing
D) Women’s 75 kg boxing
Answer: D) Women’s 75 kg boxing - Whom did Lovlina Borgohain defeat in the final of the women’s 75 kg boxing
event?
A) Natalya Bogdanova
B) Bao Ziyi
C) Kang Chaeyoung
D) Oh Yejin
Answer: B) Bao Ziyi - Where is COP31 scheduled to be held in 2026?
A) Paris, France
B) Dubai, UAE
C) Antalya, Türkiye
D) New Delhi, India
Answer: C) Antalya, Türkiye - Who will serve as the President of COP31?
A) Chris Bowen
B) Murat Kurum
C) António Guterres
D) Sultan Al Jaber
Answer: B) Murat Kurum - The gold medal in women’s hockey at the 2026 Asian Games secured direct
qualification for India for which Olympics?
A) 2024 Paris Olympics
B) 2026 Winter Olympics
C) 2028 Los Angeles Olympics
D) 2032 Brisbane Olympics
Answer: C) 2028 Los Angeles Olympics - The 2026 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine was awarded for discoveries
related to which field?
A. Gene editing
B. Quantum biology
C. Light-gated ion channels and optogenetics
D. Stem-cell therapy
Answer: C. Light-gated ion channels and optogenetics - How many total medals did India win at the Asian Games 2026 according to the
source?
A. 70
B. 75
C. 85
D. 95
Answer: C. 85 - India secured which position in the Asian Games 2026 medal table?
A. Second
B. Third
C. Fourth
D. Fifth
Answer: C. Fourth - Who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Physics 2026?
A) Francis Halzen
B) Alain Aspect
C) Anton Zeilinger
D) Roger Penrose
Answer: A) Francis Halzen - Who has been awarded the 2026 Ramanujan Prize for Young Mathematicians
from Developing Countries?
A) C. R. Rao
B) Mahesh Kakde
C) Manjul Bhargava
D) Akshay Venkatesh
Answer: B) Mahesh Kakde - Mahesh Kakde is associated with which institution?
A) IIT Delhi
B) IISc Bengaluru
C) IIT Bombay
D) ISI Kolkata
Answer: B) IISc Bengaluru - Who were jointly awarded the 2026 Nobel Prize in Chemistry according to the
source?
A) Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai
B) Kenso Soai and Carolyn Bertozzi
C) Henri B. Kagan and Omar Yaghi
D) Kenso Soai and Moungi Bawendi
Answer: A) Henri B. Kagan and Kenso Soai - Who was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature 2026?
A. Margaret Atwood
B. Anne Carson
C. Haruki Murakami
D. Salman Rushdie
Answer: B. Anne Carson - Who received the Nobel Peace Prize 2026 according to the supplied material?
A. Navi Pillay
B. António Guterres
C. Malala Yousafzai
D. Volodymyr Zelenskyy
Answer: A. Navi Pillay - What is the proposed new name of Noida International Airport at Jewar?
A. Atal International Airport, Noida
B. Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar
C. Gautam Buddha International Airport
D. Noida-Jewar National Airport
Answer: B. Narendra Modi International Airport, Noida-Jewar - Which French honour was Sunil Bharti Mittal scheduled to receive?
A. Order of Merit
B. Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour
C. Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour
D. Order of the Star of Europe
Correct Answer: C. Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honour - Who established France’s Legion of Honour in 1802?
A. Louis XIV
B. Napoleon Bonaparte
C. Charles de Gaulle
D. Emmanuel Macron
Correct Answer: B. Napoleon Bonaparte - Which Indian cricketer received his fifth ICC Player of the Month award in the
men’s category?
A) Virat Kohli
B) Rohit Sharma
C) Shubman Gill
D) Jasprit Bumrah
Answer: C) Shubman Gill - Who was named the ICC Women’s Player of the Month for September 2026?
A) Smriti Mandhana
B) Shafali Verma
C) Harmanpreet Kaur
D) Deepti Sharma
Answer: B) Shafali Verma - Who received the 2026 Sveriges Riksbank Prize in Economic Sciences in Memory
of Alfred Nobel, according to the presentation?
A) Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford
B) Esther Duflo and Abhijit Banerjee
C) Paul Krugman and Joseph Stiglitz
D) Daron Acemoglu and Simon Johnson
Answer: A) Robert E. Hall and Michael Woodford - According to the October 2026 Henley Passport Index, what was India’s rank?
A) 80th
B) 82nd
C) 84th
D) 85th
Answer: C) 84th - Which country ranked first in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index?
A) Japan
B) Singapore
C) South Korea
D) United Arab Emirates
Answer: B) Singapore - Which country ranked first in the October 2026 Henley Passport Index?
A) Japan
B) Singapore
C) South Korea
D) United Arab Emirates
Answer: B) Singapore - Where was the World Health Summit 2026 held?
A) Geneva, Switzerland
B) Paris, France
C) Berlin, Germany
D) Vienna, Austria
Answer: C) Berlin, Germany - Which of the following sites in Chhattisgarh was added to UNESCO’s World
Heritage Tentative List, according to the provided material?
A) Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape
B) Kanger Valley National Park
C) Chitrakote Waterfalls
D) Bastar Palace
Correct Answer: A) Sirpur Cultural and Archaeological Landscape - Shamonda virus belongs to which genus?
A) Orthobunyavirus
B) Flavivirus
C) Coronavirus
D) Lentivirus
Answer: A) Orthobunyavirus - Bodhana Sivanandan reportedly achieved which chess title in October 2026?
A. Woman Grandmaster
B. International Master
C. Grandmaster
D. Woman International Master
Correct Answer: B. International Master
