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National News Roundup: October 2026 (Current Affairs for NDA, CDS & SSB)
Here is a one-page roundup of the most important national news of October 2026 – economy, government schemes, governance, international relations and sports – selected for NDA, CDS and AFCAT GK and for SSB interviews and GD.
1. Economy
- IMF raised India’s GDP growth forecast for FY 2026-27 to 7%.
- Retail (CPI) inflation fell to around 3.2%, reported as a seven-year low.
- India’s forex reserves stood at about US$721 billion (week ended 16 October).
- Oman overtook the US as India’s largest LNG supplier in September 2026.
- The PM was scheduled to inaugurate the RBI’s Tier IV Data Centre in Bhubaneswar on 25 October.
2. Government Schemes & Decisions
- The Union Cabinet approved ₹53,428 crore to continue the National Social Assistance Programme for five years and renamed it the Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
- A productivity-linked bonus of 78 days’ wages was approved for about 11.4 lakh railway employees.
- Lakshadweep was declared 100% literate under the ULLAS scheme.
- Over 11 crore Farmer IDs have been created under the Digital Agriculture Mission.
- CNAP (Caller Name Presentation), which shows a caller’s registered name, is set to roll out from 1 November 2026.
- NHAI will require independent design checks for major bridges from 1 December 2026.
3. Infrastructure
- Sidhi district (Madhya Pradesh) was connected to the rail network for the first time with the opening of the Rewa–Churhat and Satna–Devendra Nagar sections.
4. International Relations
- US Secretary of State Marco Rubio visited India (19–22 October) as India–US trade deal talks progressed.
- India hosts the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum at Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi (26–27 October) under its BRICS chairship.
- New Delhi hosted the 61st meeting of the International Committee of Legal Metrology for the first time.
5. Internal Security
- The ITBP celebrated its Raising Day on 24 October. Raised in 1962, it guards the 3,488-km India–China border and works under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
6. Sports
- India finished 4th in the Asian Games 2026 (Japan) medal table with 85 medals.
- India won a record 114 medals at the Asian Para Games 2026.
- Shubman Gill and Shafali Verma were named ICC Players of the Month (September 2026).
- Harmeet Desai and Yashaswini Ghorpade won mixed doubles bronze at the Asian TT Championships – India’s first medal in that event in 72 years.
Quick Revision: Possible Exam Questions
- NSAP has been renamed as? Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.
- Which Union Territory was declared 100% literate under ULLAS? Lakshadweep.
- When is ITBP Raising Day? 24 October.
- Where is the 12th BRICS Parliamentary Forum being held? Samvidhan Sadan, New Delhi.
SSB tip: Interviewing Officers often ask, “What’s the latest news you read?” Pick 2–3 items above, know the facts, and have your own opinion on each.
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