Current affairs · 25 October 2026

Current affairs — 25 October 2026

The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 12 updates.

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Appointments

  • Sunil Kumar Appointed Next ONGC Chairman

    Sunil Kumar was appointed as the next Chairman of Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) on 23 October 2026. The appointment is significant for India's energy sector leadership and public sector undertaking governance.

    Why it matters: PSU appointments and leadership changes are regular prelims questions; ONGC is Navratna PSU

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. Sunil Kumar was chosen to be the new head of ONGC, which is India's oil and gas company.
    2. ONGC is a big government-owned company that finds and produces oil and natural gas for India.
    3. This appointment shows how India picks leaders for its important energy companies and public sector undertakings.
    4. Regular people use the oil and gas that ONGC produces for petrol, cooking gas, and electricity.
    5. ONGC is a Navratna PSU, so its chairman's appointment is an important topic for government exams.
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Defence

  • Ministry of Defence Floats Tender for 500 Scramjet Propulsion Systems

    The Ministry of Defence floated a tender for 500 scramjet propulsion systems intended for India's hypersonic missile programme. Scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) technology enables air-breathing propulsion for high-speed flight above Mach 5. This tender is part of efforts to strengthen India's defence technology base and reduce external dependence for critical components.

    Why it matters: Indigenous defence technology development is important for prelims and mains GS-III; hypersonic systems represent strategic capability

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Ministry of Defence has asked companies to supply 500 scramjet propulsion systems for India's missiles.
    2. This is about the Defence Ministry trying to build India's own hypersonic missile technology.
    3. Scramjets allow missiles to fly at very high speeds above Mach 5, making them harder to stop.
    4. This affects India's defence strength and helps reduce our need to buy such technology from other countries.
    5. India is developing its own scramjet systems so it does not depend on foreign countries for defence technology.
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  • Rajnath Singh Releases Land Warfare Doctrine 2026

    Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released the new Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 on 24 October 2026, replacing the Land Warfare Doctrine 2018. The doctrine provides a framework for the Army to prepare for future conflicts characterised by drones, autonomous systems, artificial intelligence, cyber warfare, and precision-guided munitions.

    Why it matters: Defence doctrines and modernisation are important for mains GS-III and defence exam current affairs

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Defence Minister released a new plan called Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 that replaces the old 2018 plan.
    2. Defence Minister Rajnath Singh released this new doctrine for the Indian Army.
    3. The new doctrine prepares the Army for future wars that will use drones, robots, artificial intelligence, cyber attacks, and smart weapons.
    4. This affects soldiers and defence forces who will use these new technologies and strategies in future conflicts.
    5. Land Warfare Doctrine 2026 is a framework showing how the Army will fight modern wars using technology and new methods.
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Economy

  • RBI Bulletin October 2026 Released Highlighting Economic Resilience

    The Reserve Bank of India released its monthly bulletin for October 2026 on 24 October 2026, featuring articles on the state of the economy, transmission of bank lending rates, NBFC sector review, and assessment of economic activity across states. The bulletin highlighted that India's high-frequency indicators continue to show resilience amid geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions.

    Why it matters: RBI publications are critical for economy section in prelims and mains; economic data interpretation important for banking exams

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Reserve Bank of India released its October 2026 monthly bulletin showing that India's economy is staying strong even with world problems happening.
    2. The RBI put out reports about bank lending rates, the NBFC sector, and how different states are doing economically.
    3. The bulletin says India's economy is doing well because high-frequency indicators show resilience despite geopolitical tensions and supply-chain disruptions.
    4. This affects everyday people because it tells us about whether banks will lend money easily and how the overall economy is growing.
    5. RBI bulletins are important for government exams because they contain official economic data and information about India's financial health.
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International

  • India-Poland Set Trade Target of USD 12 Billion by 2030

    India and Poland forged closer bilateral ties with a trade target of USD 12 billion by 2030, up from current USD 6 billion. Key outcomes include new defence industry dialogue, counter-terrorism dialogue, and support for EU-India FTA. Focus sectors include machinery, chemicals, plastics, and engineering goods.

    Why it matters: Bilateral relations and trade agreements are frequent prelims and mains topics; Poland visit part of India's EU outreach

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. India and Poland agreed to double their trade between now and 2030.
    2. The two countries' governments made this agreement to strengthen their relationship.
    3. They want to focus on buying and selling machinery, chemicals, plastics, and engineering goods.
    4. Indian businesses and workers involved in these industries will get new opportunities to sell to Poland.
    5. India-Poland trade agreements and bilateral relations are important topics for government exams.
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National

  • Defence Secretary Inaugurates Hindi Library 'GYANDEEP' at Sena Bhawan

    Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated GYANDEEP, a newly established Hindi library at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi, on 22 October 2026. The initiative supports the promotion of official language usage in defence establishments.

    Why it matters: Official language policy and government initiatives are topics for prelims and mains GS-II

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Defence Secretary opened a new Hindi library called GYANDEEP at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi.
    2. This library was started to help defence offices use Hindi more in their daily work.
    3. The government wants to promote Hindi as an official language in defence departments and military offices.
    4. Defence workers and soldiers can now use this library to read books and materials in Hindi.
    5. For exams, remember that GYANDEEP is a government initiative to increase Hindi language use in defence establishments.
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Pay & Jobs

  • 8th Pay Commission Mumbai Visit Scheduled for 22-23 October 2026

    The 8th Central Pay Commission scheduled stakeholder interactions in Mumbai on 22-23 October 2026. Employee associations including the Karnataka Posts and Telecommunications Pensioners' Association have submitted demands for fitment factor of 3.833, minimum basic pay of ₹69,000, and minimum pension of ₹34,470. The Commission has not yet finalised fitment factor, pay matrix, or allowances.

    Why it matters: 8th Pay Commission developments directly impact lakhs of aspirants; fitment factor and implementation timeline are crucial for job seekers

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The 8th Pay Commission will meet people in Mumbai on 22-23 October 2026 to listen to what they want.
    2. Employee groups like the Karnataka Posts and Telecommunications Pensioners' Association are asking for better pay and pensions.
    3. They want a fitment factor of 3.833, minimum salary of ₹69,000, and minimum pension of ₹34,470 for government workers.
    4. This affects lakhs of government employees and job seekers who want to know their future salary and pension amounts.
    5. The Pay Commission has not yet decided the final fitment factor, pay levels, or allowances for government workers.

    Karnataka

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  • DA Increased to 60% from January 2026 for Central Government Employees

    The Union Cabinet approved a 2% increase in Dearness Allowance (DA) and Dearness Relief (DR) with effect from 1 January 2026, taking the rate from 58% to 60% of Basic Pay/Pension. This increase follows the existing mechanism under the 7th Central Pay Commission and is separate from the 8th Pay Commission's recommendations.

    Why it matters: DA revisions are critical for government job aspirants; concrete percentage (60%) important for exam questions

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The government increased Dearness Allowance by 2% for central government workers starting January 2026.
    2. This decision was approved by the Union Cabinet for all central government employees and pensioners.
    3. DA went up from 58% to 60% of basic pay because of rising prices that affect workers' daily life costs.
    4. Government employees and their families benefit because they receive more money in their salary every month.
    5. For exams, remember that DA was increased to 60% from January 2026 under the 7th Central Pay Commission rules.
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  • July 2026 DA Hike Pending Announcement Despite October Cabinet Meeting

    On 14 October 2026, the Union Cabinet met but did not announce the pending July 2026 DA hike for central government employees. While the Cabinet cleared a 78-day productivity-linked bonus for railway employees and extended a social assistance programme, the Dearness Allowance revision due from 1 July 2026 remains pending.

    Why it matters: Pending DA announcements affect lakhs of employees and aspirants; timing of revisions is exam-relevant

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The Union Cabinet met in October 2026 but did not announce the Dearness Allowance increase that was supposed to start from July 2026.
    2. This affects central government employees who have been waiting for this salary increase for several months.
    3. The Cabinet approved other things like a bonus for railway workers but skipped announcing the DA hike that many employees need.
    4. Lakhs of central government workers and their families are affected because their expected salary increase has not been confirmed yet.
    5. DA announcements and their dates are important for government exam preparation as they test knowledge of employee benefit policies.
    UPSCSSCBankingRailwaysState PSCsource ↗

Schemes

  • Union Cabinet Approves ₹53,428 Crore for National Social Assistance Programme Restructuring

    The Union Cabinet approved on 14 October 2026 the continuation and restructuring of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years (FY 2026-27 to FY 2030-31), backed by ₹53,428 crore. Central monthly assistance has been revised to ₹375 for beneficiaries up to 79 years and ₹625 for those aged 80 years and above. The scheme has been renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana.

    Why it matters: Government schemes with budget allocations are high-frequency prelims topics; welfare schemes important for mains GS-II

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. The government approved money to continue and improve a social help program for the next five years.
    2. This program helps poor elderly people and widows who cannot earn money.
    3. The monthly help given to old people has been increased to help them live better.
    4. Poor elderly people in villages and cities will receive more money every month from the government.
    5. The scheme is now called Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana and receives over fifty thousand crore rupees.
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Sci-Tech

  • ISRO Chairman Announces Four Launch Pads by 2029

    ISRO Chairman V Narayanan announced on 25 October 2026 that India will have four functional launch pads by 2029. The expansion includes a 2,000-acre dedicated Small Satellite Launch Vehicle (SSLV) complex at Kulasekarapattinam in Tuticorin district to meet global satellite deployment demand.

    Why it matters: ISRO infrastructure expansion is important for prelims and mains; demonstrates self-reliance in space sector

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. ISRO said India will build four working launch pads by the year 2029.
    2. ISRO Chairman V Narayanan made this announcement on 25 October 2026.
    3. India needs more launch pads to send more small satellites into space for customers around the world.
    4. This helps India launch satellites faster and gives jobs to people in the space industry.
    5. ISRO is expanding its launch pads to make India self-reliant in space technology.
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Sports

  • India Finishes 4th at Asian Para Games 2026 with Record Medals

    The 2026 Asian Para Games at Aichi-Nagoya, Japan concluded on 24 October 2026. India posted their best-ever performance, finishing 4th in overall standings with a final tally surpassing the previous record of 111 medals (29 Gold) at Hangzhou 2023. This marks India's strongest showing at the Asian Para Games.

    Why it matters: Major sporting achievements and medal tallies are regular prelims questions; para sports gaining prominence

    In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)

    1. India finished 4th at the Asian Para Games 2026 held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan.
    2. Indian para athletes won more medals than ever before in the history of these games.
    3. India broke its previous record of 111 medals from the 2023 games in Hangzhou.
    4. This achievement shows that India's disabled athletes are getting better training and support.
    5. Remember: India got 4th place with record medals at Asian Para Games 2026.
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