Current affairs — 10 October 2026

Gaurav Yadav Appointed Regular DGP of Punjab After Record Tenure as Officiating DGP

Gaurav Yadav (IPS:1992:PB) has been appointed as the regular Director General of Police (DGP) of Punjab on October 9, 2026. He had been serving as officiating DGP for over four years, the longest such period in any state of the country.

Why it matters: Important appointment in law enforcement; state police administration and civil services hierarchy are key topics for all competitive exams.

Three New Judges Administered Oath at Supreme Court

Chief Justice of India Justice Surya Kant administered oath of office to three new judges on October 6, 2026: Justice Sunita Agarwal, Justice Devendra Kumar Upadhyaya, and one other judge. The appointments increase the strength of the Supreme Court bench.

Why it matters: Judicial appointments are frequently asked in static GK and current affairs; important for polity and governance sections.

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

The Reserve Bank of India raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% at its Monetary Policy Committee meeting held from October 5-7, 2026, under Governor Sanjay Malhotra. The policy stance changed from 'neutral' to 'calibrated tightening' amid rising inflationary pressures. The Standing Deposit Facility rate stands at 5.25% and Marginal Standing Facility rate at 5.75%. The MPC noted that headline CPI inflation is expected to average 5.8% over the next three quarters.

Why it matters: First rate hike since 2023; critical for economy, banking sector questions on monetary policy, inflation control, and repo rate mechanism.

Government Caps Margins on Non-Scheduled Anti-Cancer Drugs at 30% of MRP

The Government of India announced on October 9, 2026, that margins on non-scheduled anti-cancer drugs have been capped at 30% of the Maximum Retail Price (MRP). This measure aims to make cancer treatment more affordable for patients across the country.

Why it matters: Important welfare measure; relevant for social issues, health policy, and governance topics in prelims and mains.

PM Modi to Address Women and Child Development Summit in New Delhi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi participated in the valedictory session of the Departmental Summit on Women and Child Development in New Delhi on October 9, 2026. The two-day summit began on October 8, 2026, and witnessed participation of political leadership and officials dealing with women and child development issues.

Why it matters: Important for social issues and government initiatives on women and child welfare; relevant for essay and GS papers.

Supreme Court Orders eDAR Integration to Curb Road Accident Insurance Fraud

The Supreme Court ordered states to establish Special Investigation Teams (SITs) within four weeks where necessary to investigate suspected insurance fraud related to road accidents. The order emphasizes integration of the electronic Detailed Accident Report (eDAR) system. The PM-RAHAT scheme provides eligible accident victims cashless treatment of up to ₹1.5 lakh for seven days. The next Supreme Court hearing is scheduled for November 27, 2026.

Why it matters: Judicial intervention in public policy; important for polity, governance, and social issues sections in all competitive exams.

8th Pay Commission: Implementation Expected from January 2026 with Fitment Factor Under Review

The Union Cabinet has approved the Terms of Reference for the 8th Central Pay Commission, which will impact around 50 lakh central government employees including defence personnel and 69 lakh pensioners. The Commission is headed by former Supreme Court Judge Ranjana Prakash Desai with IIM Bangalore Professor Pulak Ghosh as part-time member and Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain as Member Secretary. Employee unions have demanded a fitment factor of 3.833 with minimum pay of ₹69,000, though the final recommendation is still under deliberation.

Why it matters: Major development affecting central government salary structure; fitment factor, pay matrix, and commission composition are important static GK topics for all exams.

Cabinet Approves 2% DA Hike to 60% Effective January 1, 2026

The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR), raising it from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension with effect from January 1, 2026. This increase applies to central government employees and pensioners under the 7th Central Pay Commission. The revision follows the existing mechanism under the 7th CPC and is separate from the 8th Pay Commission deliberations.

Why it matters: Critical for aspirants preparing for government jobs; affects approximately 50 lakh employees and 69 lakh pensioners; DA calculation is a frequent exam topic.

NTA Opens Registration for UGC NET December 2026 Session

The National Testing Agency (NTA) opened registrations for the UGC NET December 2026 session on October 9, 2026. Eligible candidates can apply online for Junior Research Fellowship (JRF), Assistant Professorship, or PhD through the website ugcnet.nta.nic.in.

Why it matters: Major recruitment notification for teaching aspirants; UGC NET is the gateway to academic careers with Assistant Professor positions paying ₹57,700-₹1,82,400 (Level 10) plus allowances.

Punjab CM Launches HUNAR and Fast-Track Portals for Jobs and Investment

Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann launched HUNAR Punjab and Fast-Track Punjab portals on October 8, 2026. HUNAR Punjab connects industries, educational institutions, and skilled youth through hiring, placements, internships, and training, with around 1,750 institutions registered at launch. Fast-Track Punjab offers investors a single-window platform for approvals, incentives, and application tracking, with the government aiming to provide necessary investor approvals within 45 days. Punjab has reportedly attracted ₹1.89 lakh crore in investment since 2022, generating approximately 6.31 lakh jobs.

Why it matters: State government initiatives on employment generation and ease of doing business; important for polity and governance sections.

India to Release AI Regulation Consultation Paper Within One Month

Union Electronics and IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw announced on October 8, 2026, that India will release an AI regulation consultation paper within one month. The proposed techno-legal framework will address AI safety, cybersecurity, deepfakes, and related issues. The government plans to develop indigenous graphics processing units (GPUs) capable of supporting AI inference within three to four years, with government procurement estimating demand for 10,000 GPUs and an initial tender for 5,000 units under the IndiaAI Mission.

Why it matters: Important for science & technology and governance sections; AI regulation, digital India, and indigenous technology development are trending exam topics.

Shubman Gill Wins Polly Umrigar Award at BCCI Naman Awards 2026

Shubman Gill was awarded the Best International Cricketer (Men) trophy, also known as the Polly Umrigar Award, at the BCCI Naman Awards 2026. Smriti Mandhana won the Best International Cricketer (Women) award. Rahul Dravid, Roger Binny, and Mithali Raj received Lifetime Achievement Awards.

Why it matters: Sports awards and personalities are regular features in GK sections of all competitive exams; BCCI awards are important for current affairs.