Current affairs — 13 October 2026

Appointments Committee of Cabinet Approves 27 Joint Secretary-Level Appointments

The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet on October 10, 2026 approved 27 appointments at Joint Secretary and equivalent levels across various ministries, departments, regulatory bodies and government institutions. The appointments were notified through Order No. 33/17/2026-EO(SM-I), dated October 10, 2026, by the Secretariat of the ACC.

Why it matters: Government appointments at senior levels are frequently asked in current affairs sections of all major exams.

Chief Justice of India Administers Oath to Three New Supreme Court Judges

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

Why it matters: Supreme Court judges appointments are important for polity and governance sections in all competitive exams.

Gaurav Yadav Appointed Regular DGP of Punjab After 4 Years as Officiating DGP

IPS officer Gaurav Yadav (1992 batch, Punjab cadre) was 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 tenure in any Indian state.

Why it matters: Senior police appointments and IPS officer postings are important for prelims and state PSC exams.

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

The Reserve Bank of India on October 7, 2026 raised the repo rate by 25 basis points to 5.50% from 5.25%, marking the first rate hike since February 2023. The MPC unanimously voted for the hike and shifted policy stance from neutral to 'calibrated tightening'. Standing Deposit Facility rate adjusted to 5.25% and Marginal Standing Facility rate to 5.75%. RBI projected GDP growth at 7.1% for FY 2026-27 and CPI inflation at 5.2%.

Why it matters: Monetary policy decisions are critical for economy and banking exams; repo rate changes affect credit, inflation, and growth.

Opposition Parties Protest Over Voter List Revisions, 130 Million Names Removed

On October 12, 2026, India's opposition parties marched to the Supreme Court protesting revisions to voter lists that they allege favor the ruling party. Authorities have removed more than 130 million names from the electoral roll, triggering widespread demonstrations including Rahul Gandhi's Supreme Court march and protests in Delhi.

Why it matters: Electoral reforms and voter list controversies are important for polity, governance, and current affairs.

8th Pay Commission: DA at 60% from January 2026, Implementation Expected January 1, 2026

The 8th Central Pay Commission, headed by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is expected to implement recommendations from January 1, 2026. The Union Cabinet approved a 2% DA hike in January 2026, raising DA from 58% to 60% under the 7th CPC. The proposed fitment factor ranges from 1.82 to 2.86, with 2.28 being widely discussed, potentially raising minimum wage from ₹18,000 to ₹41,040. The commission will benefit approximately 48.62 lakh central government employees and 67.85 lakh pensioners.

Why it matters: 8th Pay Commission is the most important topic for government job aspirants; DA hikes and fitment factors directly impact salaries.

Second DA Hike of 8th Pay Commission Era Expected in October 2026

The second DA revision under the 8th Pay Commission regime is expected to be announced in October 2026, covering the July-December 2026 period. The expected increase is 2-3%, which would bring cumulative DA to approximately 4-5% under the new pay structure. This follows the first DA hike announced in April 2026 for the January-June period.

Why it matters: DA revisions are crucial updates for all government job aspirants as they directly affect take-home salary calculations.

ISRO Plans Human Space Analog Habitat at Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru

ISRO's Human Space Flight Centre issued a tender on October 9, 2026 for establishing a Human Space Analog System at its Astronaut Training Facility in Bengaluru. The facility will simulate isolated, confined, and resource-limited conditions for up to 60-day missions, preparing astronauts for the Gaganyaan programme. The habitat will include crew workstations, galley, exercise equipment, sleeping bunks, and life support systems.

Why it matters: ISRO developments, especially Gaganyaan programme updates, are frequently tested in science and technology sections.

India Finished 4th at 2026 Asian Games with 85 Medals

India concluded the 2026 Asian Games held in Aichi and Nagoya, Japan (September 19 - October 4, 2026) with a total of 85 medals: 21 gold, 27 silver, and 37 bronze, finishing 4th overall. The Indian contingent comprised 495 athletes competing in 36 sports. Manu Bhaker and Pawan Sehrawat were the flag bearers at the opening ceremony, while Neeru Dhanda was the closing ceremony flag bearer.

Why it matters: India's performance at multi-sport events like Asian Games is crucial for sports current affairs in all exams.

India Wins ODI Series Against West Indies 2-1

India defeated West Indies 2-1 in the three-match ODI series that concluded in October 2026. Shubman Gill scored 334 runs and was named Player of the Series. Kuldeep Yadav took 7 wickets. The tour consisted of three ODIs and five T20Is played in September-October 2026.

Why it matters: International cricket series results and player performances are common in sports current affairs.