Current Affairs — 23 October 2026
Daily news by your exam, state and topic — each with a short summary, key facts and MCQs.
Fri, 23 Oct 2026
Asian Para Games 2026: India crosses 100 medals as Sandeep Kumar, Haney and Mona Agarwal win gold with world records
On 23 October 2026 at the Asian Para Games in Nagoya (Japan), Sandeep Kumar won gold in the men's 400m T64 with a world record (52.28 s), giving India its 100th medal of the Games, while Haney (javelin F37/38, 60.49 m) and Mona Agarwal (women's 50m rifle 3 positions SH1, 357.5) also won gold with world records.
Third Regional Review Conference on Forest Rights Act held in Srinagar; 25.42 lakh titles distributed nationally
The Ministry of Tribal Affairs held the Third Regional Review Conference on implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 in Srinagar on 23 October 2026, where it reported that about 54 lakh claims had been received nationally and 25.42 lakh titles distributed (as of 31 August 2026).
Commerce Department and EEPC India hold Chintan Shivir for US$250 billion engineering exports by 2030
The Department of Commerce and EEPC India held a Chintan Shivir for the engineering sector on 23 October 2026 to plan for US$250 billion engineering exports by 2030, as engineering exports crossed US$70 billion in April-September 2026-27 with nearly 20% growth.
19th Urban Mobility India Conference 2026 opens in Bhubaneswar on theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age'
The 19th Urban Mobility India (UMI) Conference and Exhibition 2026 was inaugurated in Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 23 October 2026 by MoS Tokhan Sahu, on the theme 'Urban Accessibility and Liveability in Digital Age'.
India begins development phase of National Plan of Action for inland small-scale fisheries at Bhopal workshop; 30 million tonne fish target
On 23 October 2026 at a national workshop in Bhopal, Fisheries Secretary Dr. Abhilaksh Likhi launched the development phase of India's National Plan of Action (NPOA) for small-scale inland fisheries, developed under the FAO framework with BOBP-IGO, and said India targets 30 million tonnes of fish production in the next five years.
MHA and Indian Army launch first-of-its-kind training of 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers in 12 States/UTs
On 23 October 2026 the Ministry of Home Affairs announced a first-of-its-kind pilot in which the Indian Army will train 600 Civil Defence Master Trainers (50 each from 12 States/UTs) by the second week of November 2026, who will in turn train up to 60,000 Civil Defence Volunteers.
NCB's 'Operation Trident' strikes 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur against transnational narco-cartel
On 23 October 2026, the Narcotics Control Bureau, with Mizoram Police and the Enforcement Directorate, carried out 'Operation Trident' at 38 locations in Assam, Mizoram and Manipur, uncovering ₹100 crore of hawala transactions and arresting 18 people.
NSO proposes PLFS changes from January 2027, including a separate stratum for digital platform workers
On 23 October 2026 the National Statistics Office (NSO) proposed changes to the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) from January 2027, including a new Second Stage Stratum for digital platform workers and fresh 2027-2028 samples (Panel 6), and invited comments within 15 days.
Assam institutes Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award; singer Usha Mangeshkar to be first recipient
The Assam cabinet on 23 October 2026 approved the 'Bharat Ratna Dr Bhupen Hazarika National Award' (₹10 lakh and a citation, given every three years), and named singer Usha Mangeshkar its first recipient; PM Modi will present it at Bharat Mandapam on 29 November.
Department of Pharmaceuticals sets up committee under NITI Aayog Member Dr. M. Srinivas to review pharma marketing practices (UCPMP)
On 23 October 2026, the Department of Pharmaceuticals constituted a committee chaired by NITI Aayog Member Dr. M. Srinivas, with Preeti Sudan and Dr. Naresh Trehan as members, to review the Uniform Code for Pharmaceutical Marketing Practices (UCPMP) framework and suggest ways to curb unethical practices within two months.
Nirmala Sitharaman chairs 30th FSDC meeting; Council notes Financial Sector Cyber Security Strategy
Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman chaired the 30th meeting of the Financial Stability and Development Council (FSDC) in New Delhi on 23 October 2026, which reviewed macro-financial stability and took note of the Financial Sector Cyber Security Strategy (FSCSS).
Sonowal opens corporate office of India's first maritime NBFC, Sagarmala Finance Corporation; ₹5,107 crore disbursed so far
Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal inaugurated the corporate office of Sagarmala Finance Corporation Limited (SMFCL), India's first dedicated maritime NBFC, at ISID in New Delhi on 23 October 2026; SMFCL has disbursed ₹5,107 crore and aims for ₹60,205 crore cumulative disbursements by FY2031.
ARIES scientists show how black hole spin drives high-frequency X-ray flickering (QPOs) from accretion shocks
Scientists of the Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Nainital, showed through simulations that oscillating accretion shocks around spinning black holes can explain the wide range of quasi-periodic oscillation (QPO) frequencies in X-rays, in a study published in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics.
Indian student Ameena Nazreen A S wins Global Youth Institute Award at 2026 Borlaug Dialogue; NAAS signs MoU with CAST, USA
At the World Food Prize Foundation's 2026 Norman E. Borlaug International Dialogue ('Before Hunger Wins', 20-22 October 2026, Des Moines, USA), Indian student Ameena Nazreen A S won the Global Youth Institute Award, and NAAS signed an MoU with the Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST), USA.
C-DOT sets up its sixth Centre of Excellence at IIT (BHU) Varanasi for 5G Advanced/6G, quantum and AI telecom research
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) signed an MoU with IIT (BHU), Varanasi, and inaugurated its sixth Centre of Excellence there on 23 October 2026 to advance 5G Advanced/6G, quantum communication, cybersecurity and AI-driven networks.
Kittur Rani Chennamma's birth anniversary and 202nd victory celebration held at Prerana Sthal, Parliament premises
The birth anniversary of Kittur Rani Chennamma and the 202nd celebration of her victory against the British were commemorated at Prerana Sthal in the Parliament premises, New Delhi, on 23 October 2026, in the presence of Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla.
President Droupadi Murmu attends Bastar Dussehra at Jagdalpur, interacts with Manjhi and Chalki in Muriya Darbar
President Droupadi Murmu addressed a public programme at Jagdalpur, Chhattisgarh, on 23 October 2026 on the occasion of Bastar Dussehra, interacted with local Manjhi and Chalki in the Muriya Darbar and offered prayers at Maa Danteshwari Temple.