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26th October 2026 Current Affairs

Monday · 9 news items · 9 MCQs

PM Modi inaugurates RBI's Rs 169-crore data centre and cybersecurity institute in Odisha; Defence Ministry and IndiaAI Mission to build a secure AI layer for the armed forces; India targets 30 million tonnes of fish production in five years

In this edition

  1. PM Modi inaugurates RBI's Rs 169-crore data centre and cybersecurity institute in Odisha
  2. Defence Ministry, IndiaAI Mission to build secure AI layer for armed forces
  3. Ukraine signs Letter of Intent with Nokia and ICEYE for sovereign satellite communications
  4. UK launches three-year 'Be Ready' household emergency preparedness campaign
  5. India targets 30 million tonnes fish production in five years, says Fisheries Secretary
  6. ICMR funds GITAM University project to develop blood test for early breast cancer detection
  7. ARIES-led study links rapidly spinning black holes to faster X-ray oscillations
  8. Kobe University-led study finds magma refilling beneath Japan's Kikai Caldera
  9. Tamil Nadu's Tenkasi Forest Division proposes adding Madras hedgehog to conservation programme
  10. Daily Current Affairs Quiz (9 questions)

📘 26th October 2026 Current Affairs Quiz

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

Take the Quiz ›
📈 Economy

PM Modi inaugurates RBI's Rs 169-crore data centre and cybersecurity institute in Odisha

Why in News?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Reserve Bank of India's new Greenfield Data Centre and Enterprise Computing & Cybersecurity Training Institute at Info Valley-II, Jatni, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha, on 25 October 2026. Built at a cost of about Rs 169 crore on an 18.55-acre campus, it will back up RBI's primary data centre at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai, and host mission-critical payment and settlement systems. Its foundation stone was laid by then-RBI Governor Shaktikanta Das in March 2023. The event was attended by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, RBI Governor Sanjay Malhotra and Odisha CM Mohan Charan Majhi.

Key Highlights

  • Inaugurated by PM Modi on 25 October 2026
  • Cost: about Rs 169 crore; campus: 18.55 acres
  • Location: Info Valley-II, Jatni, near Bhubaneswar, Odisha
  • Backs up RBI's Kharghar (Navi Mumbai) data centre
  • Foundation laid by Shaktikanta Das, March 2023

Static GK

  • RBI was established on 1 April 1935 under the RBI Act, 1934
  • RBI's head office is in Mumbai
  • Sanjay Malhotra is the Governor of RBI
  • RBI's primary data centre is located at Kharghar, Navi Mumbai
🛡️ Defence

Defence Ministry, IndiaAI Mission to build secure AI layer for armed forces

Why in News?

Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh said on 23 October 2026 that the Ministry of Defence and the IndiaAI Mission are jointly developing a dedicated, secure domestic AI computing layer for the armed forces to support decision-making, target acquisition and a "sensor-to-shooter" loop. Computing resources have already been procured, and the MoD plans to partner with private firms selected through the IndiaAI Mission to reduce dependence on foreign AI suppliers, citing risks such as withheld technology or hidden kill switches.

Key Highlights

  • Announced by Defence Secretary Rajesh Kumar Singh, 23 October 2026
  • Joint effort of MoD and the IndiaAI Mission
  • Supports a secure "sensor-to-shooter" decision loop
  • Computing resources already procured
  • Aims to cut reliance on foreign AI suppliers

Static GK

  • IndiaAI Mission was approved by the Union Cabinet on 7 March 2024
  • IndiaAI Mission has an outlay of about Rs 10,371.92 crore
  • Rajnath Singh is India's Union Defence Minister
  • General Anil Chauhan is India's Chief of Defence Staff
💻 Technology

Ukraine signs Letter of Intent with Nokia and ICEYE for sovereign satellite communications

Why in News?

Ukraine's Ministry of Defence signed a Letter of Intent on 22 October 2026 with Finnish firms Nokia and ICEYE to explore a sovereign satellite communications system that would reduce Ukraine's dependence on foreign-controlled networks such as Starlink. Under the proposal, participating governments would own and control the satellites, ground infrastructure and user terminals. The announcement came during Finnish PM Petteri Orpo's visit to Kyiv, where Finland and Ukraine also signed seven agreements worth roughly EUR 300-330 million across defence, transport and construction.

Key Highlights

  • Letter of Intent signed 22 October 2026
  • Partners: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence, Nokia and ICEYE (Finland)
  • Aim: a sovereign satellite communications system
  • Signed during Finnish PM Petteri Orpo's Kyiv visit
  • Finland-Ukraine deals signed same visit: about EUR 300-330 million

Static GK

  • Nokia and ICEYE are both Finnish technology companies
  • LEO (Low Earth Orbit) satellites orbit at altitudes up to about 2,000 km
  • Volodymyr Zelenskyy is the President of Ukraine
  • Starlink is a satellite internet constellation operated by SpaceX
🌍 International

UK launches three-year 'Be Ready' household emergency preparedness campaign

Why in News?

The UK's Cabinet Office launched the first phase of a three-year public awareness campaign called "Be Ready" on 22 October 2026, urging households to prepare for temporary disruptions to electricity, water, phone and internet services. Households are advised to stock supplies, including up to nine litres of water per person, for at least three days. More than 500 organisations are helping distribute guidance, and the campaign is framed under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004, which provides the UK's statutory emergency-planning framework.

Key Highlights

  • Launched by the Cabinet Office on 22 October 2026
  • First phase of a three-year campaign
  • Households told to prepare for at least 3 days without services
  • Over 500 partner organisations involved
  • Framed under the Civil Contingencies Act 2004

Static GK

  • The UK Cabinet Office coordinates national emergency planning
  • The Civil Contingencies Act was enacted in 2004
  • Keir Starmer is the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
  • The British Red Cross supports public resilience and emergency response
📈 Economy

India targets 30 million tonnes fish production in five years, says Fisheries Secretary

Why in News?

Union Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi said on 23 October 2026 that India aims to raise annual fish production to 30 million tonnes within five years, up from the current 19.7 million tonnes, while increasing seafood exports to Rs 1.25 lakh crore. The Department of Fisheries is also developing a National Plan of Action for small-scale inland fisheries with the Bay of Bengal Programme Inter-Governmental Organisation (BOBP-IGO) under an FAO framework, following a national workshop in Bhopal. Inland fisheries contribute about three-fourths of India's total fish production.

Key Highlights

  • Stated by Fisheries Secretary Abhilaksh Likhi, 23 October 2026
  • Target: 30 million tonnes within five years
  • Current production: about 19.7 million tonnes
  • Seafood export target: Rs 1.25 lakh crore
  • National Plan of Action for inland fisheries being drafted with BOBP-IGO/FAO

Static GK

  • The Department of Fisheries functions under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying
  • Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) is India's flagship fisheries scheme
  • FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is headquartered in Rome
  • Inland fisheries account for roughly three-fourths of India's fish production
🔬 Science

ICMR funds GITAM University project to develop blood test for early breast cancer detection

Why in News?

The Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) sanctioned over Rs 2 crore for a three-year project at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam, to develop a blood-based test for early detection of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), reported on 24 October 2026. Led by Professor Rama Rao Malla, the project will study microRNA in blood-serum exosomes, comparing samples from early-stage TNBC patients and healthy women, and train a machine-learning model to distinguish them, aiming for a kit-based diagnostic test.

Key Highlights

  • ICMR grant of over Rs 2 crore, reported 24 October 2026
  • Three-year project at GITAM (Deemed to be University), Visakhapatnam
  • Led by Professor Rama Rao Malla, Department of Life Sciences
  • Studies microRNA in blood-serum exosomes
  • Goal: a kit-based early-detection test for TNBC

Static GK

  • ICMR is headquartered in New Delhi and is India's apex biomedical research body
  • Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) lacks the three receptors commonly targeted in breast cancer therapy
  • GITAM is a deemed-to-be-university headquartered in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh
  • ICMR functions under the Department of Health Research, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare
🔬 Science

ARIES-led study links rapidly spinning black holes to faster X-ray oscillations

Why in News?

Researchers from India's Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences (ARIES), Poland's Nicolaus Copernicus Astronomical Center, and MJP Rohilkhand University published a study on 23 October 2026 in the Journal of High Energy Astrophysics. Using simulations of viscous accretion flows, they showed that rapidly rotating black holes pull accretion shocks closer in, raising the frequency of quasi-periodic oscillations (QPOs) in X-ray emission to over 100 Hz for black holes about ten times the Sun's mass.

Key Highlights

  • Study published 23 October 2026, Journal of High Energy Astrophysics
  • Led by ARIES (India) with partners in Poland
  • Faster black-hole spin pulls accretion shocks closer
  • QPO frequencies exceeded 100 Hz in simulations
  • Studied black holes of about ten solar masses

Static GK

  • ARIES (Aryabhatta Research Institute of Observational Sciences) is located in Nainital, Uttarakhand
  • QPO stands for quasi-periodic oscillation
  • The Event Horizon Telescope has imaged black holes M87* and Sagittarius A*
  • Frame-dragging, linked to rotating black holes, is also called the Lense-Thirring effect
🔬 Science

Kobe University-led study finds magma refilling beneath Japan's Kikai Caldera

Why in News?

A Kobe University-led team working with the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology (JAMSTEC) reported on 23 October 2026 that a magma body is gradually accumulating about 2.5-6 km beneath Japan's Kikai Caldera, an underwater volcanic depression that last erupted catastrophically around 7,300 years ago. Published in Communications Earth & Environment and led by Akihiro Nagaya, the study found the magma is newly injected material rather than leftover from the ancient eruption, and said an eruption is not imminent.

Key Highlights

  • Reported 23 October 2026, published in Communications Earth & Environment
  • Led by Kobe University with JAMSTEC
  • Magma body found 2.5-6 km beneath the caldera
  • Kikai-Akahoya eruption occurred about 7,300 years ago
  • Researchers say the magma is newly injected, not ancient leftover

Static GK

  • JAMSTEC stands for the Japan Agency for Marine-Earth Science and Technology
  • A caldera is a large volcanic depression formed after a major eruption
  • The Aira Caldera near Sakurajima has been refilling with magma since its 1914 eruption
  • Japan lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone of high volcanic and seismic activity
🌿 Environment

Tamil Nadu's Tenkasi Forest Division proposes adding Madras hedgehog to conservation programme

Why in News?

The Tenkasi Forest Division in Tamil Nadu proposed on 22 October 2026 to add the Madras hedgehog, locally called "mulleli," to its Golden Jackal Ambassadors conservation-awareness programme, which trains students and volunteers to promote wildlife conservation. Tamil Nadu had sanctioned Rs 1 crore in September 2026 for four lesser-known endangered species, allocating Rs 20.50 lakh for hedgehog conservation in 2025-26, including radio-tagging research in the Theri forests of Thoothukudi district.

Key Highlights

  • Proposed by Tenkasi Forest Division, 22 October 2026
  • Madras hedgehog locally called "mulleli"
  • To be added to the Golden Jackal Ambassadors programme (launched 2025)
  • Rs 20.50 lakh allocated for hedgehog conservation, 2025-26
  • Includes radio-tagging research in Theri forests, Thoothukudi district

Static GK

  • The Madras hedgehog is a spiny, nocturnal mammal found in parts of South India
  • Theri forests are scrub/dry forest tracts found in southern Tamil Nadu
  • Tamil Nadu's Golden Jackal Ambassadors programme was launched in 2025
  • The golden jackal is a canid species found widely across India

📘 26th October 2026 Current Affairs Quiz

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

Take the Quiz ›