Current Affairs 30 October 2026

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NATIONAL AFFAIRS

Union Cabinet Approves Rs. 10,000 Crore CMPS to Establish Global Container Manufacturing Ecosystem in India
In October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme (CMPS) under the Union Budget 2026–27, with an outlay of Rs. 10,000 crore to establish a globally competitive container manufacturing ecosystem in India.

• The scheme will run from Financial Year 2027–2028 (FY28) to (FY40), comprising three years for setting up manufacturing facilities and ten years of production support.

About Container Manufacturing Promotion Scheme:
Objective: CMPS will increase India’s annual container manufacturing capacity from approximately 70,000 to 7.5 lakh Twenty-foot Equivalent Unit (TEU), generating an estimated Rs. 75,000 crore in economic output by FY40, over seven times the government support.
Governance: An Inter-Ministerial Steering Committee, chaired by Vijay Kumar, Secretary, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways (MoPSW), will approve scheme guidelines and sanction financial assistance.
Components: The scheme comprises Interest Subvention Assistance (ISA) (Rs. 859 crore), Operational Expenditure Assistance (OEA) (Rs. 8,891 crore), Testing and Certification Assistance (Rs. 150 crore), Land Leasing Support, and Scheme Management (Rs. 100 crore).
Other Approvals: Union Cabinet, chaired by PM Narendra Modi, also approved a 3% hike in Dearness Allowance (DA) for central government employees and Dearness Relief (DR) for pensioners, effective from 1 July 2026, increasing the rates from 60% to 63% of the applicable basic pay or pension.

Union Cabinet Approves Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme
In October 2026, the Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi, approved the Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme with a total outlay of Rs.1,856.67 crore (Cr) for Financial Year 2026–27 (FY27) to FY34. 

• Announced in the Union Budget 2026–27, the scheme aims to boost domestic sports goods manufacturing, investment, innovation and exports while reducing import dependence, in line with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025, Make in India and Atmanirbhar Bharat. 

About Khelo India Sports Goods Manufacturing Scheme:
Objective: The Scheme, implemented by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), aims to strengthen India’s sports goods manufacturing base through targeted support for investment, technology adoption, research and innovation, skill development, quality certification and market development.
Parts: The scheme has following two parts:

• Incentives that support manufacturing and 
• Interventions that build the wider ecosystem.

Manufacturing zones: The integrated Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs) will bring together manufacturers, suppliers, testing facilities, design and prototyping centres, and ancillary enterprises.

• Four integrated zones, each spanning over 300 acres, may be developed through convergence with the BHAVYA Scheme (Bharat Audyogik Vikas Yojna) and NICDC (National Industrial Corridor Development Corporation Limited) Industrial Parks to strengthen industry linkages and manufacturing efficiency.

Investment and Production Support: Two components, with a combined outlay of Rs 1,130 Cr, will support manufacturing growth.

• Anchor Investment Support: Provides 20% capital expenditure support to anchor investors investing at least Rs 100 Cr to establish manufacturing facilities in Sports Goods Manufacturing Zones (SGMZs).
• Turnover Linked Support: Offers incentives of up to 15% to manufacturers investing Rs 10 Cr or more to boost production and expand capacity. 

Certification: An outlay of Rs 105 Cr will support manufacturers in obtaining and renewing International Sports Federation Certifications, covering 70% of first-time certification costs and 50% of renewal costs.

12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum Concludes in New Delhi with Adoption of Joint Declaration
The 12th BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) Parliamentary Forum was held under the theme “Fostering Parliaments For People-Centric Development” from October 26 to 27, 2026 in New Delhi, Delhi. 

• The two-day forum, inaugurated by Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla, concluded with the adoption of a ‘Joint Declaration’ focusing on parliamentary cooperation, global governance reforms, counter-terrorism and sustainable development. 

Other BRICS-related Engagements:
BRICS Theatre Festival: BRICS Theatre festival, organised by the Ministry of Culture, was held  in New Delhi (Delhi) under the theme of the “Shared Stories, Shared Futures”. The festival, hosted by the National School of Drama (NSD) under the Ministry of Culture.
BRICS Business Forum: India under its 2026 BRICS presidency theme “Building for Resilience, Innovation, Cooperation and Sustainability”, hosted the BRICS Business Forum in New Delhi, Delhi.
2nd BRICS FMCBG Meeting: Sanjay Malhotra, Governor of the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) along with Anuradha Thakur, Secretary of the Department of Economic Affairs (DEA), Ministry of Finance (MoF), co-chaired the 2nd BRICS Finance Ministers’ and Central Bank Governors (FMCBG) meeting in Mumbai, Maharashtra.

• RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra, along with Dilma Rousseff, President of the New Development Bank (NDB) and DEA of MoF, inaugurated the BNKP, a centralized digital platform designed to consolidate and share the knowledge and best practices from across BRICS Working Groups.

MoT Extends PLI Scheme Tenure to FY 2033–34 and Reduces Turnover Threshold to Rs. 100 Crore for Round 4
In October 2026, the Ministry of Textiles (MoT), Government of India (GoI), announced major modifications to the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Textiles, extending its tenure to Financial Year (FY) 2033–34 exclusively for applicants approved under Round 4.

• The Ministry reduced the minimum turnover requirement under Part 2 from Rs 200 crore to Rs 100 crore to encourage participation by Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) and mid-sized manufacturing units.

Highlights of the Ministry of Textiles’ PLI Scheme:
Reopening of Application Portal: The Ministry will accept applications through the official PLI portal from 1 November to 31 December 2026.
Eligibility: The minimum investment threshold under Part 2 is Rs. 50 crore, enabling eligible MSMEs and mid-sized manufacturing units to participate.
Migration: Companies participating in Rounds 1, 2 and 3 that have neither claimed nor received incentives may migrate to Round 4 after withdrawing their existing applications, as applicable.
Focus Areas:  The scheme promotes the manufacturing of Man-Made Fibre (MMF) apparel, MMF fabrics and technical textiles to enhance domestic manufacturing capacity, attract investment, generate employment and strengthen India’s position in global textile value chains.

India and Mexico Launch PTA Negotiations to Expand Bilateral Trade
In October 2026, India and Mexico formally launched negotiations for a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) after signing the Terms of Reference (ToR) to expand bilateral trade, create business opportunities, strengthen investment flows, enhance cooperation across key economic sectors, and promote resilient and diversified supply chains.

• ToR were signed during the visit of Rajesh Agrawal, Secretary of Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI), to Mexico City, Mexico.   

About India–Mexico PTA Negotiations:
Framework: ToR establish the framework, scope, negotiating modalities, and roadmap for the proposed agreement.
Negotiations: Key negotiating areas include market access for goods, rules of origin, customs procedures, trade facilitation, dispute settlement, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, technical barriers to trade, and trade remedies.
Sectors: Priority sectors include automobiles, chemicals, electronics, pharmaceuticals, agri-food, energy, critical minerals, medical devices, and advanced manufacturing, leveraging complementarities between the two economies.

Union Minister C. R. Paatil Launches ‘Punah Bharan’ App to Identify Groundwater Recharge Zones
On 28 October 2026, Union Minister C. R. Paatil, Ministry of Jal Shakti(MoJS), launched the ‘Punah Bharan’ Mobile Application(app) to support scientific groundwater recharge planning and sustainable groundwater management across India.
About the Punah Bharan Mobile Application:
Developer: The application was developed by the Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N) in collaboration with the National Water Mission (NWM), under the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (DoWR, RD&GR), MoJS.
Key Features: The application identifies potential groundwater recharge zones within a 3-kilometre (km) radius and provides village-level Artificial Recharge Structure (ARS) maps and Geographic Information System (GIS) tools for scientific recharge planning and sustainable groundwater management.
Geospatial Data: The platform uses rainfall, groundwater levels, yield, slope and drainage data to identify suitable recharge zones and plan interventions.
States/UT with Highest Over-Exploited Groundwater Units: Punjab (75.16%), Haryana (61.54%), Delhi (41.18%), Tamil Nadu(TN) (33.87%) and Karnataka (18.99%).
 National Water Mission (NWM): It was established in 2011 under the MoJS. It aims to improve water-use efficiency by 20% and reduce over-exploited groundwater blocks by at least 20% by 2035.

Union Minister Prataprao Jadhav Launches 4th Edition of Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign
On October 28 2026, Union Minister of State(MoS) Prataprao Jadhav, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), launched the 4th edition of the Tobacco-Free Youth Campaign (TFYC 4.0) at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Institute of Medical Sciences (ABVIMS) and Dr. Ram Manohar Lohia (Dr. RML) Hospital in New Delhi, Delhi.
About TFYC 4.0:
Aim: The 60-day TFYC 4.0, organised by MoHFW, aims to prevent tobacco use, promote cessation and strengthen tobacco control, focusing on Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs) to create tobacco-free campuses.
Six-Pronged Strategy: The campaign focuses on Information, Education and Communication (IEC), Tobacco-Free Educational Institutions (ToFEI), Tobacco-Free Villages, Law Enforcement, Tobacco-Free Universities and Colleges, and Social Media Engagement.
Outreach: The campaign promotes tobacco prevention under the slogan “Say No to Tobacco” through public awareness, tobacco-free educational institutions and villages, enforcement of tobacco-control laws, digital outreach, and community engagement.
Previous Editions: TFYC 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0, launched in May 2023, September 2024 and October 2025, respectively, declared over 5.8 lakh educational institutions and 73,000 villages tobacco-free.

MYAS, MoE & UNESCO Sign MoU to Promote Clean Sport Values in Classrooms
On 28 October 2026, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports (MYAS), Ministry of Education (MoE), and UNESCO exchanged an Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India’s Clean Sport Conclave in New Delhi, Delhi, to promote clean and fair sports among school children, in line with Khelo Bharat Niti 2025.

• The MoU was exchanged in the presence of Union Minister Dr. Mansukh Mandaviya, Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports(MYAS); Union Minister Pralhad Joshi, Ministry of Education(MoE); and Dr. Tim Curtis, Director of UNESCO’s Regional Office for South Asia. 

Key Details of MoU:
Objective: The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between sports and education by promoting clean sporting practices, ethical conduct and values-based learning among schoolchildren.
Toolkit: The initiative will provide educational resources and practical classroom activities to promote respect, integrity and fairness through sports-integrated learning.
Regional Languages: The toolkit’s video modules will be made available in 13 Indian languages to ensure wider accessibility among students across India.

CAIT and NASSCOM Sign MoU to Train Traders in AI, Cybersecurity and Digital Marketing
In October 2026, the Confederation of All India Traders (CAIT) and the National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to train traders and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) across India in Artificial Intelligence (AI), cybersecurity and digital marketing.
 Highlights of the Partnership:
Dignitaries:  The agreement was signed under initiative“Tech Connect for Traders and MSMEs – Accelerating Digital Transformation” in the presence of Minister of State (MoS) Jitin Prasada, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY).
Objective: To strengthen the digital capabilities of traders and MSMEs and help them adapt to changing consumer behaviour.
Benefits: The initiative aims to help traders use technology to expand operations, access new market opportunities and improve competitiveness in domestic and global markets.
Significance: The partnership emphasises digital technology adoption as an essential factor in business growth and competitiveness.
About NASSCOM:  Established in 1988 and is headquartered in Noida, Uttar Pradesh(UP), India. Its President is Rajesh Nambiar.

BANKING & FINANCE

SEBI and Bank of England Sign MoU to Strengthen Cross-Border Clearing Cooperation
On 28 October 2026, the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of England (BoE) to improve cooperation and information sharing on SEBI-recognised Clearing Corporations (CCs).
Key Details of MoU:
Objective: To strengthen cross-border regulatory cooperation, facilitate safe international clearing operations and safeguard the United Kingdom’s (UK) financial stability.
Regulatory Cooperation: The agreement establishes a framework for cooperation on Central Counterparties (CCPs), enabling the BoE to rely on SEBI’s regulatory and supervisory activities, subject to applicable laws and regulations.
Clearing Corporations (CCs): In India, CCs are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) under the Securities Contracts (Regulation) Act, 1956 (SCRA), and SEBI (Stock Exchanges and Clearing Corporations) Regulations, 2018. They act as CCPs, ensuring trade settlement and reducing the risk of default between buyers and sellers.

Air India and SBI Card Partner to Develop Co-Branded Credit Card for Maharaja Club Members
In October 2026, Air India and SBI Card (SBI Cards and Payment Services Limited) partnered with Visa to develop a new co-branded credit card offering travel and lifestyle benefits to members of Air India’s Maharaja Club loyalty programme. 

• This marks Air India’s first co-branded credit card initiative since its privatisation and acquisition by the Tata Group in January 2022. 

Highlights of the Partnership:
Benefits: The proposed card will offer travel and lifestyle benefits, with Maharaja Points earned on everyday retail spending and travel transactions.
Maharaja Club: Redesigned in 2024, Air India’s Maharaja Club has added over 5 million members, offering points on eligible flights across 104 destinations and 25 Star Alliance member airlines.
Redemption: Members can earn Maharaja Points through partnerships with 100+ brands across hospitality, retail, lifestyle, and financial services, and redeem points for flights and upgrades on Air India, Air India Express, and Star Alliance member airlines.
About Air India: Established in 1932 by J. R. D. Tata as Tata Airlines, Air India was nationalised in 1953 and later reacquired by the Tata Group, which currently owns the airline; its headquarters is in Gurugram, Haryana.

AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS

DPIIT Announces 6th National Startup Awards with 12 New Categories
In October 2026, the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoC&I), launched the 6th edition of the National Startup Awards (NSA 6.0) under the Startup India initiative to recognise innovation, entrepreneurship and outstanding contributions to India’s startup ecosystem.

• The awards will recognise startups across 20 sectoral categories and three special categories, including 12 newly introduced sectors, with a cash prize of Rs 25 lakh for winners in each eligible startup category.

About NSA 6.0:
Key Objectives: NSA 6.0 aims to recognise innovative startups, promote entrepreneurship and encourage greater participation from startups in Tier-2 and Tier-3 cities across India.
Background: The National Startup Awards were introduced in 2019 under Startup India and have completed five editions.
Categories: The awards will recognise innovation, entrepreneurship and excellence across 20 sectoral categories and 03 special award categories (Women-Led Startup of the Year; North-East(NE) Startup Excellence and the newly introduced Student Innovator / Aspiring Entrepreneur Award).

ENVIRONMENT

Two New Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh’s Changlang District
In October 2026, researchers from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) and Madras Christian College (MCC), Chennai, Tamil Nadu (TN) discovered two new flowering plant species, Ophiorrhiza shidiensis and Ophiorrhiza pemae, in the Vijoynagar region of Changlang district, Arunachal Pradesh(AR).

• Both species belong to the Rubiaceae family, commonly known as the coffee family, and their findings were published on 23 October 2026 in the scientific journal Taiwania.

Ophiorrhiza shidiensis:
Naming: The species was named after Shidi, the traditional name for Gandhigram used by the Lisu (Yobin) community in AR.
Plant Characteristics: It is an erect, perennial herb that grows up to one metre in height.
Ophiorrhiza pemae:
Naming: The species was named in honour of Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister (CM) Pema Khandu, recognising his contributions to the state’s development and scientific activities.
Plant Characteristics: It is a small perennial herb growing approximately 25–40 centimetres tall.

SPORTS

LA28 Unveils “Stars Align” as Official Slogan for 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games
In October 2026, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and Los Angeles 2028 (LA28) Organising Committee unveiled “Stars Align” as the official slogan for the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, scheduled for 14–30 July 2028 (Olympic Games) and 15–27 August 2028 (Paralympic Games). 

• The slogan highlights how years of dedication, sporting excellence and global unity come together in Los Angeles, United States of America (USA). 

Highlights of the LA28 Olympic and Paralympic Slogan:
Announcement: Casey Wasserman, Chairperson and President of the LA28 Organising Committee, and Alex Merchán, Chief Marketing Officer (CMO) of LA28, unveiled the slogan.
Launch: The slogan was introduced through a 60-second campaign film featuring Los Angeles landmarks, including the Hollywood Sign and Griffith Observatory, accompanied by the Red Hot Chili Peppers’ song “Can’t Stop”.
Motto: The Olympic motto is “Faster, Higher, Stronger – Together”, while the Paralympic motto is “Change Starts with Sport”.
Milestones: Los Angeles will host the 2028 Summer Olympics for the third time, following the 1932 and 1984 Games, becoming the third city after London (United Kingdom, UK) and Paris (France) to host the Summer Olympics three times, while hosting the Paralympic Games for the first time in its history.
Events: The 2028 Olympic Games are scheduled to feature a record 353 medal events, while the planned Olympic torch relay will visit all 50 states of the USA.

OBITUARY

Three-Time Asian Para Games Gold Medallist Neeraj Yadav Passed Away
In October 2026, a 42-year-old Indian Paralympian, javelin thrower, and three-time Asian Para Games gold medallist in para-athletics Neeraj Yadav passed away in New Delhi, Delhi. He was born on 10 February 1984 in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh (UP), India.
About Neeraj Yadav:
Background:  He was diagnosed with post-polio residual paralysis following neural damage at the age of seven, but remained determined to pursue a professional sports career.
Career: He competed in wheelchair tennis from 2005 to 2012 before transitioning to seated para-athletics field events in the F55 category around 2013–2015.
Achievement:  He won silver medals in shot put and discus at the 2016 Fazza Grand Prix and achieved a breakthrough at the 2018 Jakarta Asian Para Games with his record-setting javelin throw.
Medals: He won three Asian Para Games gold medals: the Men’s Javelin Throw (F55) with an Asian record of 29.84 metres (m) at the 2018 Jakarta Games, followed by Men’s Discus Throw (F54/F55/F56) on 24 October 2023 and Men’s Javelin Throw (F55) on 28 October 2023 at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.

IMPORTANT DAYS

World Stroke Day 2026 – October 29
World Stroke Day (WSD) is observed annually on 29 October to raise global awareness about stroke prevention, early symptom recognition, and timely treatment. 

• 2026 Theme: “Every M1nute Counts”.

Background:
Establishment: WSD was established in 2004 during the World Stroke Congress held in Vancouver, Canada.
Proclamation: Under the direction of Dr. Vladimir Hachinski, a working group developed the World Stroke Proclamation in October 2006 to promote global stroke awareness.
Formation of WSO: The World Stroke Organization (WSO) was formed in October 2006 through the merger of the International Stroke Society (ISS) and the World Stroke Federation (WSF).
First Observance: WSD was first observed on 29 October 2006.
World Stroke Congress (WSC 2026): The 18th WSC was held from 21–23 October 2026 in Seoul, South Korea, organised by the WSO in partnership with the Korean Stroke Society.

STATE NEWS

Maharashtra Approves Kolamarka Conservation Reserve and Expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary as Wildlife Sanctuaries
In October 2026, the Maharashtra State Board for Wildlife (SBWL),chaired by Chief Minister(CM) Devendra Fadnavis, approved proposals to designate Kolamarka Conservation Reserve and Expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary as Wildlife Sanctuaries(WLS) under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 and to establish 14 conservation reserves across seven districts of Maharashtra.

• The decisions were taken during the 26th meeting of SBWL, chaired by Devendra Fadnavis, Chief Minister (CM), Maharashtra.

About Wildlife Sanctuary Proposals:
Kolamarka Conservation Reserve: The board approved upgrading the Kolamarka Conservation Reserve in Gadchiroli district, Maharashtra, to a wildlife sanctuary. The reserve is known for its population of the endangered Asiatic Wild Water Buffalo (Bubalus arnee).
Expanded Tansa Wildlife Sanctuary: The board approved sanctuary status for the expanded area adjoining Tansa WLS in the Thane–Palghar region of Maharashtra, including 588.767 hectares (ha) of revenue and private land from six villages: Ogda, Khodde, Tirmal, Pachghar, Phansad and Amle, to facilitate rehabilitation and make the sanctuary free of human habitation. 

• The sanctuary is home to over 200 bird species, leopards, barking deer and the endangered Forest Owlet. 

Conservation Reserves: The SBWL approved 14 proposals to establish conservation reserves across seven districts: Pune, Raigad, Nashik, Nandurbar, Thane, Palghar and Chandrapur.

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