Current affairs — 9 October 2026

Ashok Lahiri Appointed 4th Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog

Economist and former Chief Economic Adviser Dr. Ashok Lahiri assumed office as the 4th Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog on 8 May 2026, succeeding Suman Bery. He previously served as Member of the Fifteenth Finance Commission (2017-2023) and as the 12th Chief Economic Adviser to the Government of India (2002-2007).

Why it matters: NITI Aayog Vice Chairman is a key constitutional/administrative post frequently asked in current affairs sections.

Rajesh Kumar Singh Appointed Chairman of DRDO

Rajesh Kumar Singh, a 1989-batch IAS officer from Kerala cadre and current Defence Secretary (since 1 November 2024), assumed office as Chairman of Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) on 1 June 2026, succeeding Samir V Kamat.

Why it matters: DRDO Chairman is a crucial defence appointment; often tested in defence and science-technology sections.

RBI Hikes Repo Rate by 25 bps to 5.50%, Shifts to 'Calibrated Tightening'

The Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% on 7 October 2026, the first hike since 2023. The Monetary Policy Committee unanimously voted for the hike and changed the policy stance from 'neutral' to 'calibrated tightening'. The Standing Deposit Facility rate now stands at 5.25% and the Marginal Standing Facility rate at 5.75%. RBI projected GDP growth for FY27 at 7.1% and raised inflation forecast to 5.2%.

Why it matters: Critical for banking exams and economy section in all competitive exams; repo rate, monetary policy stance, and economic projections are frequently asked.

PM Modi Inaugurates 10th India Mobile Congress on Air Force Day

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the 10th India Mobile Congress on 8 October 2026 at Yashobhoomi, New Delhi. He also honored 8 October as Air Force Day. The PM emphasised India's telecom sector moving towards greater self-reliance and noted that mobile phones have emerged as crucial tools for good governance under Digital India.

Why it matters: Important for questions on Digital India, government initiatives, and national events; Air Force Day (8 Oct) is a static fact.

8th Pay Commission Expected to Roll Out from January 2026

The 8th Central Pay Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to implement recommendations from 1 January 2026. The Commission was constituted in January 2025 with IIM Bangalore Professor Pulak Ghosh as part-time member and Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain as Member Secretary. It will benefit around 48.62 lakh employees and 67.85 lakh pensioners. Expected fitment factors range from 1.83 to 2.86, with DA projected at 70% to be merged into base salary.

Why it matters: Major development for government job aspirants; Pay Commission details are standard GK questions in all competitive exams.

Dearness Allowance Increased to 60% from January 2026

The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) with effect from 1 January 2026, raising the rate from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension. This increase benefits approximately 48.62 lakh central government employees and 67.85 lakh pensioners. The increase is based on the existing mechanism under the 7th Central Pay Commission.

Why it matters: DA revisions directly impact aspirants' future salaries; knowledge of current DA percentage is frequently tested in awareness sections.

RRB NTPC Graduate Recruitment: 3,548 Posts Announced

Railway Recruitment Boards announced recruitment for 3,548 NTPC Graduate posts in October 2026. The posts include Chief Commercial cum Ticket Supervisor (127 posts, ₹35,400 initial pay), Goods Train Manager (2,750 posts, ₹29,200), Junior Accounts Assistant cum Typist (300 posts, ₹29,200), and Senior Clerk cum Typist (371 posts, ₹29,200).

Why it matters: Major railway recruitment with substantial vacancies and pay scales; important for railway exam aspirants.

TNPSC Announces 6,574 Group IV Vacancies in October 2026

Tamil Nadu Public Service Commission (TNPSC) announced recruitment for 6,574 Group IV posts in October 2026, making it one of the major state-level recruitment opportunities this month. Other significant recruitments include 1,270 Punjab District Court Clerk posts and 1,000 MP Police Constable Driver posts.

Why it matters: Large-scale state PSC recruitment with substantial vacancies; important for state exam aspirants and general awareness of ongoing recruitments.

Gaganyaan-1 Uncrewed Test Flight Scheduled for Q4 2026

ISRO's Gaganyaan-1, the first of three uncrewed test flights before India's inaugural crewed mission, is scheduled for Q4 2026. The spacecraft is designed to carry three people and will be launched from Satish Dhawan Space Centre. If the subsequent crewed Gaganyaan-4 mission (planned for 2027) succeeds, India will become the fourth country after the US, Soviet Union, and China to independently send humans to space.

Why it matters: ISRO's human spaceflight programme is a prestigious national project; mission timelines and objectives are important for science-tech sections.

India A vs Australia A Cricket Series Underway in October 2026

The Australia A cricket team is touring India from 22 September to 11 October 2026 to play against India A. The tour consists of two first-class and three List A matches. Devdutt Padikkal captains India A in first-class matches while Ruturaj Gaikwad leads in List A games. Matches scheduled for 6, 9, and 11 October are ongoing.

Why it matters: Bilateral cricket series and captaincy details are standard sports current affairs topics.

India Wins 37 Medals at 2026 Asian Games in Japan

India participated in the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan from 19 September to 4 October 2026, winning a total of 37 medals (4 gold, 16 silver, 17 bronze) and finishing 12th overall. The flag bearers were Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat. India sent 495 athletes across 36 sports, marking the country's 20th consecutive appearance at the Asian Games.

Why it matters: Major international sporting event; medal tallies, host cities, and India's performance are standard sports current affairs questions.

West Indies Cricket Team Tours India for ODIs and T20Is

The West Indies cricket team is touring India from 27 September to 17 October 2026, playing three One Day Internationals (ODIs) and five Twenty20 Internationals (T20Is). Shubman Gill captains India in ODIs while Shreyas Iyer leads in T20Is; Shai Hope captains the West Indies.

Why it matters: International cricket series details are frequently asked in sports current affairs sections.