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17th October 2026 Current Affairs

Saturday · 8 news items · 8 MCQs

Cabinet renames NSAP as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana with Rs 53,428-crore outlay; Anandkumar Velkumar wins silver and bronze at World Skate Games 2026; India ranked 100th in Global Hunger Index 2026

In this edition

  1. Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranks 100th of 122 countries
  2. India ranks 84th in the Henley Passport Index 2026 update
  3. Cabinet renames NSAP as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, Rs 53,428-crore outlay
  4. Nagaland's Baby League wins SKOCH Silver Award for grassroots football
  5. Anandkumar Velkumar wins silver and bronze at World Skate Games 2026 in Paraguay
  6. IISER Thiruvananthapuram develops new organometallic compound for green hydrogen release
  7. Botanical Survey of India describes new plant species Ceropegia tamilnaduensis
  8. Tamil Nadu CM lays foundation stone for Rs 300-crore Periyar Library and Science Centre in Coimbatore
  9. Daily Current Affairs Quiz (8 questions)

📘 17th October 2026 Current Affairs Quiz

8 questions · attempt all, submit, then see your score and the solutions

Take the Quiz ›
🌍 International

Global Hunger Index 2026: India ranks 100th of 122 countries

Why in News?

The Global Hunger Index (GHI) 2026, released on 14 October 2026, placed India 100th among 122 countries with a score of 24.1, in the "serious" category. India's score has improved from 37 in 2006. Child stunting fell from about 50% in 2000 to 29.3% in 2026, though child wasting rose slightly from 18% to 19% over the same period, among the worst in South Asia on that indicator.

Key Highlights

  • GHI 2026 released 14 October 2026
  • India ranked 100th of 122 countries
  • Score: 24.1, "serious" category
  • Child stunting down from 50% (2000) to 29.3% (2026)
  • Child wasting up from 18% to 19% over the same period

Static GK

  • GHI is jointly published by Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe
  • GHI has been published annually since 2006
  • GHI score is based on four indicators: undernourishment, child stunting, child wasting and child mortality
  • Scores are grouped into categories from "low" to "extremely alarming"
🌍 International

India ranks 84th in the Henley Passport Index 2026 update

Why in News?

In its October 2026 update, the Henley Passport Index placed the Indian passport at 84th position, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 55 destinations worldwide. The index, based on IATA travel data, is published by Henley & Partners and is updated periodically through the year as visa policies change.

Key Highlights

  • Henley Passport Index October 2026 update
  • India ranked 84th
  • 55 destinations accessible visa-free or visa-on-arrival
  • Index published by Henley & Partners using IATA data

Static GK

  • The Henley Passport Index has been published since 2006
  • It ranks passports by the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa
  • Singapore and Japan have frequently topped the index in recent years
  • The index is updated several times a year as visa rules change
📈 Economy

Cabinet renames NSAP as Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, Rs 53,428-crore outlay

Why in News?

The Union Cabinet, on 14 October 2026, approved continuation and renaming of the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) for five years (2026-27 to 2030-31) with an outlay of Rs 53,428 crore, benefiting about 3.2 crore people. The umbrella scheme is renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana, with its components also renamed: Old Age Pension to Pradhan Mantri Vridhavastha Pension Yojana, Widow Pension to Pradhan Mantri Vidhawa Pension Yojana, Disability Pension to Pradhan Mantri Divyangjan Pension Yojana, and the National Family Benefit Scheme to Pradhan Mantri Parivar Labh Yojana. Disability pension amounts were revised to Rs 375 (up to age 79) and Rs 625 (80 and above).

Key Highlights

  • Cabinet approval: 14 October 2026
  • NSAP extended for 2026-27 to 2030-31, outlay Rs 53,428 crore
  • About 3.2 crore beneficiaries
  • Renamed Pradhan Mantri Samajik Sahayata Yojana; sub-schemes also renamed
  • Disability pension revised to Rs 375 (up to 79 yrs) and Rs 625 (80+ yrs)

Static GK

  • NSAP was originally launched in 1995
  • NSAP is administered by the Ministry of Rural Development
  • NSAP is a centrally sponsored social security scheme for the elderly, widows, disabled and bereaved families
  • Article 41 of the Constitution (Directive Principles) calls for state support in old age, sickness and disablement
🏆 Sports

Nagaland's Baby League wins SKOCH Silver Award for grassroots football

Why in News?

Nagaland's Department of Youth Resources and Sports received the SKOCH Silver Award, reported on 14 October 2026, for its Grassroots Football Festival known as the Baby League. Launched in June 2024, the Baby League engages children aged 5 to 12 across four age groups through small-sided matches that emphasise participation and skill development over competition.

Key Highlights

  • Reported 14 October 2026
  • Award: SKOCH Silver Award
  • Recipient: Nagaland Dept. of Youth Resources and Sports
  • Programme: Baby League grassroots football festival (launched June 2024)
  • Covers children aged 5-12 across four age groups

Static GK

  • The SKOCH Group gives awards recognising good governance and public policy initiatives
  • Nagaland's grassroots football push has previously been praised by PM Modi in Mann Ki Baat
  • Nagaland's capital is Kohima; Dimapur is its largest city
  • Nagaland became a full state of India in 1963
🏆 Sports

Anandkumar Velkumar wins silver and bronze at World Skate Games 2026 in Paraguay

Why in News?

Indian speed skater Anandkumar Velkumar won a silver medal in the men's 1000-metre sprint, finishing just 4 milliseconds behind the gold medallist with a time of 1 minute 21.922 seconds, at the 2026 World Skate Games in Paraguay. He also won bronze in the men's 500-metre sprint at the same event.

Key Highlights

  • Event: World Skate Games 2026, held in Paraguay
  • Silver: men's 1000m sprint, 1:21.922 (4 ms behind gold)
  • Bronze: men's 500m sprint
  • Athlete: Anandkumar Velkumar (speed skating)

Static GK

  • World Skate is the international governing body for roller sports
  • Anandkumar Velkumar had earlier won India's first individual gold at the Speed Skating World Championships
  • Speed/inline skating is contested at multi-sport events such as the World Skate Games
  • India's roller sports federation oversees skating disciplines nationally
🔬 Science

IISER Thiruvananthapuram develops new organometallic compound for green hydrogen release

Why in News?

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER) Thiruvananthapuram developed a new crystalline organometallic compound, magnesium hydridomethylzincate, containing magnesium, zinc, hydrogen and carbon, which needs no bulky supporting ligands to stay stable. The compound is solid at room temperature and releases hydrogen and methane under solvent-free, oxygen-free conditions from as low as 80 degrees Celsius, and releases hydrogen when heated in solution to 100 degrees Celsius.

Key Highlights

  • Institute: IISER Thiruvananthapuram
  • Compound: magnesium hydridomethylzincate
  • Contains magnesium, zinc, hydrogen and carbon
  • Releases hydrogen and methane from about 80°C (solvent-free, oxygen-free)
  • Releases hydrogen on heating in solution to 100°C

Static GK

  • IISER Thiruvananthapuram is one of seven IISERs in India, set up in 2008
  • IISERs function as autonomous institutes under the Ministry of Education
  • Organometallic chemistry studies compounds with direct metal-carbon bonds
  • Hydrogen release reactions of this kind are studied for clean-fuel applications
🔬 Science

Botanical Survey of India describes new plant species Ceropegia tamilnaduensis

Why in News?

Botanists from the Botanical Survey of India described a new plant species, Ceropegia tamilnaduensis, found on the hill slopes of Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats of Tamil Nadu, at about 380 metres elevation. The perennial herb has deep brownish-purple flowers growing solitarily from leaf axils, and seeds up to 14 mm long; over 50 flowering individuals were observed, and it is provisionally listed as Data Deficient under IUCN guidelines.

Key Highlights

  • New species: Ceropegia tamilnaduensis
  • Found in Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary, Western Ghats, Tamil Nadu (~380 m elevation)
  • Deep brownish-purple solitary flowers; seeds up to 14 mm long
  • Over 50 flowering individuals observed
  • Provisionally classed Data Deficient (IUCN)

Static GK

  • Ceropegia is a genus in the family Apocynaceae, with many species endemic to the Western Ghats
  • Nellai Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu was notified in 2015
  • The Western Ghats is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and global biodiversity hotspot
  • The Botanical Survey of India, headquartered in Kolkata, was established in 1890
📰 General

Tamil Nadu CM lays foundation stone for Rs 300-crore Periyar Library and Science Centre in Coimbatore

Why in News?

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister laid the foundation stone for a Rs 300-crore Periyar Library and Science Centre in Coimbatore, reported around 16 October 2026. The facility, named for social reformer Periyar E.V. Ramasamy, is planned as a public library-cum-science-centre for the city.

Key Highlights

  • Reported around 16 October 2026
  • Project: Periyar Library and Science Centre
  • Location: Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu
  • Estimated cost: Rs 300 crore

Static GK

  • Periyar E.V. Ramasamy founded the Self-Respect Movement and the Dravidar Kazhagam
  • Coimbatore is often called the "Manchester of South India" for its textile industry
  • Tamil Nadu has earlier built Periyar memorials elsewhere, including at Vaikom in Kerala
  • Coimbatore is the second-largest city in Tamil Nadu by population

📘 17th October 2026 Current Affairs Quiz

8 questions · attempt all, submit, then see your score and the solutions

Take the Quiz ›