Current affairs · 26 October 2026
Current affairs — 26 October 2026
The day's most exam-relevant current affairs for UPSC, SSC, banking, railways and state exams — free, factual, revision-ready. 8 updates.
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Appointments
Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh Gets 1-Year Extension
The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet approved a one-year extension of Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh's tenure on October 25, 2026. He will now continue in office until October 2027. Singh has been serving as Defence Secretary since November 1, 2024, and also holds the additional charge as Chairman of DRDO from June 1, 2026.
Why it matters: Key bureaucratic appointments, especially in defence and security positions, are frequently tested in competitive exams.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- The Defence Secretary got permission to stay in his job for one more year.
- Rajesh Kumar Singh is the Defence Secretary who also leads DRDO.
- The government decided to extend his time because he is still needed in these important defence roles.
- This affects defence policies and military decisions that touch all Indian citizens.
- Top defence officials getting extensions shows how important their positions are in government exams.
Defence
Indian Navy's First Training Squadron Visits Maldives
The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron arrived in Malé, Maldives on October 21, 2026. The deployment provides practical training experience to naval trainees while reinforcing maritime cooperation with the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). The visit aligns with India's MAHASAGAR vision (Mutual and Holistic Advancement for Security and Growth Across Regions).
Why it matters: India's maritime diplomacy and bilateral defence cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region are important for defence and IR topics.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- The Indian Navy's First Training Squadron went to Maldives to give real training to young naval sailors.
- This group of naval trainees and officers traveled to Malé, the capital of Maldives.
- The visit helps train sailors and also shows India and Maldives working together on ocean safety.
- This matters to people living near the ocean and to countries that use ocean shipping routes.
- India uses this training visit to build friendly relations with nearby countries in the Indian Ocean area.
Ministry of Defence Floats Tender for 500 Scramjet Propulsion Systems
The Ministry of Defence has floated a tender for procurement of 500 scramjet propulsion systems for India's hypersonic missile programme. Scramjet (supersonic combustion ramjet) is an air-breathing propulsion technology designed for flight at hypersonic speeds above Mach 5. The technology has been developed by DRDO.
Why it matters: Indigenous defence technology development, especially in strategic missile systems, is crucial for prelims and mains preparation.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- The Ministry of Defence is trying to buy 500 scramjet propulsion systems for India's missile programme.
- DRDO has developed this scramjet technology which is a type of engine for hypersonic speed flying.
- Scramjet engines work at speeds faster than Mach 5 and use air-breathing technology to push missiles.
- This affects common people because it strengthens India's defence capability and military strength.
- Scramjet is an air-breathing propulsion system that lets missiles fly at hypersonic speeds above Mach 5.
Economy
Rupee Closes at 94.94 per Dollar Amid Forex Pressures
The Indian rupee closed at 94.94 per dollar on October 25, 2026, extending losses from 94.83 in the previous session. RBI's foreign exchange reserves fell by $5.01 billion to $721.02 billion in the week ended October 16. RBI introduced a special dollar window from October 12 for oil PSUs to meet daily dollar requirements.
Why it matters: Forex reserves, exchange rate movements, and RBI interventions are standard topics in economy and banking exams.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- The Indian rupee became weaker and closed at 94.94 per dollar on October 25, 2026.
- This happened because India's foreign exchange reserves dropped by 5.01 billion dollars in one week.
- The RBI opened a special window for oil companies to get dollars they need for daily work.
- Ordinary people feel this when importing goods becomes expensive and prices of imported items go up in shops.
- Remember: RBI uses forex reserves and special windows to manage the rupee's value against the dollar.
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 October 22, 2026. The initiative is part of efforts to promote official language usage in defence establishments.
Why it matters: Government initiatives for promotion of Hindi and official language policy are relevant for general awareness sections.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- A new Hindi library called Gyandeep was opened at Sena Bhawan in New Delhi.
- The Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh inaugurated this library.
- This library was created to encourage people working in defence to use Hindi as their official language.
- People working in defence offices and their families can use this library to read Hindi books.
- Government is promoting Hindi language usage in defence establishments through libraries and official language policies.
Pay & Jobs
8th Pay Commission Expected to Be Effective from January 2026
The 8th Central Pay Commission recommendations are expected to come into effect from January 1, 2026, impacting approximately 50 lakh central government employees (including defence personnel) and 69 lakh pensioners. The Commission is headed by Justice (Retd.) Ranjana Prakash Desai with IIM Bangalore Professor Pulak Ghosh as part-time member and Petroleum Secretary Pankaj Jain as Member Secretary.
Why it matters: Pay Commission implementation timeline and beneficiary numbers are standard static GK questions in all government job exams.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- The 8th Pay Commission will start giving higher pay to government workers from January 2026.
- It affects about 50 lakh central government employees and defence workers, plus 69 lakh pensioners.
- This happens because the government reviews and increases salaries for its workers every few years through a Pay Commission.
- Government employees, their families, and pensioners will get more money in their bank accounts from that date.
- The 8th Pay Commission will be effective from January 1, 2026, and affects about 50 lakh central employees and 69 lakh pensioners.
Current DA Rate at 60% for Central Government Employees
The current Dearness Allowance (DA) rate for central government employees stands at 60% of basic pay, effective from January 1, 2026, following a 2% hike approved in April 2026. The 8th Pay Commission, constituted in November 2025 and chaired by former Supreme Court judge Ranjana Prakash Desai, is mandated to submit recommendations within 18 months (by approximately May 2027).
Why it matters: DA revisions and Pay Commission developments directly impact lakhs of aspirants preparing for government jobs and are regularly asked in exams.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- Central government employees now get 60% extra money on top of their basic pay as Dearness Allowance from January 2026.
- This happened because the government approved a 2% increase in the DA rate in April 2026.
- DA increases help workers afford things that cost more, like food and transport, when prices go up.
- Any person who gets a government job will benefit because their salary will include this higher Dearness Allowance.
- For exams, remember that DA is extra money tied to basic pay and gets revised by the government regularly.
Sci-Tech
India Mobile Congress 2026 Opens in New Delhi
India Mobile Congress, Asia's largest digital technology forum, commenced on October 26, 2026, at Pragati Maidan, New Delhi. The three-day event showcases advancements in 5G, 6G, and satellite communications technology, with high-profile government participation and major product unveilings expected.
Why it matters: Major technology summits are frequently asked in current affairs sections about digital India initiatives and technological advancement.
In plain words (5 lines, written by AI from this item)
- India Mobile Congress, Asia's largest digital technology forum, started on October 26, 2026, in New Delhi.
- The event is about showcasing new technology like 5G, 6G, and satellite communications with government leaders attending.
- It shows India's progress in digital technology and helps launch new products in the telecom and tech sectors.
- Regular people benefit through better internet speeds, improved mobile networks, and new technology services in their daily lives.
- For exams, remember that India Mobile Congress is Asia's biggest digital technology forum that focuses on India's tech advancement.
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